'I’m bringing back the Red Line' – Accra Mayor vows to decongest Accra streets for good

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Allotey, is reviving the Red Line initiative. He aims to reduce chaos on the city’s streets. This time, he promises it will succeed.

“I’m going to have a red line,” he said on PM Express. “Former Mayor Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye did this before.”

The new Red Line will be implemented tomorrow, May 21. Market leaders will help control the situation.

Mayor Allotey's approach is different. He plans to work directly with market women. “I promise to collaborate with a market woman,” he stated.

During a recent decongestion exercise, market women recognized the need for change. They understand that fixing the issue is essential.

Past attempts failed because mayors ignored traders' insights. “Most mayors don’t engage with market women directly,” he explained. “This time, I’m working closely with them.”

The traders suggested solutions themselves. They asked for leaders from their community to assist. The Mayor plans to select four or five leaders.

He assures that this initiative is not temporary. “It’s not just another nine-day wonder,” he said. He wants it to be a lasting legacy.

When host Evans Mensah mentioned past failures, the Mayor acknowledged them. He outlined a more robust plan for success.

“We need men to guide the red line,” he noted. Previously, they relied only on market workers for guidance.

“This time, I’m bringing over 1,000 youth to help day and night.”

He linked this effort to the NDC's vision of a 24-hour economy in Accra. “AMA will lead this initiative,” he stated.

The plan includes 24-hour ticketing and refuse clearance efforts. A task force will ensure continuous city operations overnight.

Mayor Allotey emphasized that this transformation will be sustained. “This time is different from before,” he concluded.