Accra's New Approach to Street Trading: Dialogue Replaces Force

Accra Adopts New Approach to Street Trading: A Focus on Engagement, Not Force Accra, Ghana – The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is taking a new approach to managing street trading, prioritizing engagement and collaboration over forceful removals. This shift in strategy, detailed in a recent UTV Ghana news segment, aims to improve the city's decongestion efforts while fostering better relationships with traders. Gilbert Nii Ankrah, Head of Public Relations at the AMA, explained the rationale behind the change. "We are not adopting the usual forceful 'abayee' approach," he stated, referring to the previous method of forceful removal. Instead, the AMA is focusing on "more engaging, more participatory" methods to encourage traders to move to designated areas. This new approach involves direct dialogue with traders, explaining the need for decongestion and offering support for their relocation. Mr. Ankrah emphasized that the goal is to work with the traders, not against them. "We want them to understand the need to move away," he said, highlighting the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding. The AMA's new strategy reflects a broader trend in urban planning towards community-centered solutions. By promoting dialogue and collaboration, the Assembly hopes to achieve sustainable decongestion while minimizing disruption and conflict.