Don't chase us off the streets entirely, let's sell under the footbridge - Lapaz traders plead with city authorities

Traders at Lapaz, a bustling commercial enclave in Accra, are calling on city authorities to officially allocate space under the newly constructed footbridge for trading activities, as part of ongoing efforts to decongest roads and pavements in the area.

While the traders say they are willing to comply with directives banning roadside and pavement trading, they insist they should not be completely evicted from the area where many depend on daily sales for survival.

The appeal follows a visit by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, who issued a strict ultimatum during a site inspection on Thursday, May 8, 2026. She directed traders to vacate pavements and roadside spaces by Monday, May 11, warning that enforcement of a new bylaw restricting street trading would follow.

The bylaw reportedly prohibits trading on major highways and limits pavement trading to weekends only, as part of a broader decongestion exercise aimed at improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety in the capital.

On Monday, May 11, however, traders did not resist enforcement but instead complied partially by relocating away from pavements and road edges, creating clearer passage for motorists and pedestrians.

A visit to the area showed significant improvement in traffic movement and reduced congestion along the roadside, with traders moving their wares further inward.

“We have accepted not to sell on the pavement; the road is free. The pavement is clear. We have done our part,” said Samuel Ofosu Bamfo, Chairman of the Lapaz traders, in an interview with TV3 Ghana.

Despite their compliance, the traders insist they are not willing to leave the area entirely. Instead, they are requesting permission to operate under the footbridge, which they believe offers a safer and more structured alternative trading space.

“Do not chase us off the streets entirely. Just let us sell under the footbridge,” Mr Bamfo appealed.

According to the traders, they had earlier been relocated during the construction of the footbridge, with assurances that space around it would later be made available for trading once construction was completed. However, they claim that area has since been barricaded, leaving them with limited alternatives.

Some traders also argue that their relocation from previous trading spots during construction disrupted their businesses and customer base, worsening their economic challenges.

One trader, Gladys, emotionally described the hardship many vendors are facing, citing the cost of supporting families and education.

“My children are in the university and SHS. I am suffering; we take loans to run the business,” she said.

She added that many traders have already been forced out of the area due to lack of space, despite relying heavily on the location for daily income.

“Many of the traders have been forced to go home due to lack of available space to sell,” she lamented.

The Lapaz situation highlights a recurring challenge in Ghana’s urban management system—balancing city decongestion efforts with the economic realities of informal traders who depend on high-traffic commercial zones for survival.

Authorities have repeatedly undertaken decongestion exercises across major parts of Accra, but enforcement has often struggled to achieve long-term results, as traders return to pavements and roadsides due to limited alternative market spaces.

Urban policy analysts note that without designated and sustainable trading zones, enforcement alone is unlikely to resolve the problem permanently. They argue that structured market planning, coupled with strict enforcement and stakeholder engagement, is necessary to achieve lasting decongestion outcomes.

For now, traders at Lapaz continue to appeal for a compromise solution that allows them to earn a living while also supporting efforts to keep the streets of Accra clear and safe.