Accra Decongestion: Vendors Removed, Livelihoods Disrupted

Accra's Decongestion Efforts: Vendors Displaced from Neoplan Station Accra, Ghana – The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) continued its city-wide decongestion exercise on May 22nd, 2025, focusing on removing street vendors from the area in front of the Neoplan Station. This action, part of a broader effort to alleviate traffic congestion and improve urban planning, resulted in the temporary displacement of numerous food vendors. "We understand this is disruptive," stated an AMA official in a brief interview captured on video, "but it's necessary for the long-term improvement of the city." The video shows AMA officials carefully packing up the vendors' goods, including food items and cooking equipment. Several vendors expressed their concerns about the sudden removal and the impact on their livelihoods. One vendor, whose stall was being cleared, commented, "I don't know where I'll go now to sell my food." The AMA has pledged to provide support to affected vendors, though details on specific aid remain unclear. The decongestion exercise continues, and its long-term effects on both traffic flow and the livelihoods of street vendors remain to be seen. The AMA has stressed its commitment to finding sustainable solutions to address the challenges of street trading in Accra.