Traders operating on the Kaneshie footbridge have been given until the end of April 2025 to vacate the area following a joint inspection exercise by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Ministry for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), and the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly (ACMA).
According to officials, the inspection, which took place on Wednesday, aimed to assess the condition of deteriorating footbridges in the metropolis, particularly at the Kaneshie Market, one of the busiest commercial hubs in the capital.
Speaking after the inspection, the Coordinating Director at AMA, Douglas N.K. Annoful expressed concern over the structural integrity of the bridge, stressing that the presence of hawkers on the footbridge was contributing significantly to the weakening of the structure.
He explained that although efforts had been made by the AMA to relocate the traders, there had been little compliance.
Mr. Annoful called for a sensitisation campaign to educate traders on the dangers posed by their continued presence on the bridge.
He recommended that the traders be engaged and provided with alternative trading spaces within the market to ease congestion and reduce pressure on the infrastructure.
He emphasized the importance of involving community stakeholders in the communication process to ensure a peaceful relocation.
“We need to educate the people as well as talk to them. We need to have their people to help talk to them, so it doesn’t bring chaos and confusion,” he was quoted as saying.
A Senior Planning Officer at the MLGCRA, Jonathan Aboagye, issued a firm directive to the traders to remove their goods from the bridge by the end of April.
He noted that by then, authorities would have completed sufficient engagements with the traders to ensure a smooth transition and emphasized that from May onwards, the footbridge would be cleared.
Mr. Aboagye stressed the need for trader associations to be brought into the discussions, saying their involvement was key to helping members understand the risks and future expectations.
He warned that failure to comply could result in significant losses, as the bridge might be rendered unusable, affecting trade and pedestrian access.
He instructed the AMA and ACMA to work closely together in sensitizing the affected traders from now until the end of the month. He also called for proper documentation — including photos, videos, and written records — of all engagements to serve as evidence and prevent future disputes over the relocation process.
Present during the inspection were the Municipal Coordinating Director and Deputy Director for ACMA, representatives from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, officials from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), and staff of the AMA.
