AMA Clamps Down on Kwame Nkrumah Interchange: Vendors, Hawkers Face Prosecution

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has issued a strong warning against hawking, trading and all unauthorised activities under the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, popularly known as the Circle Interchange, saying offenders will face prosecution. The warning came when the mayor led a task force from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to clear food vendors, beggars and people sleeping under the Korle Klottey section of the interchange during an inspection exercise. The AMA's operation targeted vendors, makeshift structures and unauthorised activities as part of a sanitation and by-law enforcement exercise. Mayor Allotey emphasised that the area under and around the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange is not designated for commercial activities and that any individual found trading or hawking there would be apprehended and prosecuted under the relevant by-laws. The mayor also issued a 24-hour ultimatum to businesses and property users around Otublohum Road to clear choked gutters or face sanctions from the Assembly. Residents and commuters in the Accra Central and Abossey Okai areas have often noted that the section under the interchange has become a hotspot for informal trade, with vendors selling everything from food and water to household items, creating congestion and sanitation concerns. The AMA has urged all affected persons to vacate the area voluntarily before a full enforcement operation is launched. The Assembly says it is committed to maintaining order, safety, and cleanliness in Accra's central business district.