Connect with us

General News

Street Trading Crackdown: Pavement Traders in Accra to Face GH₵2,000 Fine – Regional Minister Warns

Published

on

Traders conducting business on pavements and along streets in Accra’s Central Business District (CBD) could soon face fines of up to GH₵2,000, according to a stern warning issued by Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo.

The announcement comes in the wake of a city-wide decongestion operation carried out on Tuesday, May 20, by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in collaboration with the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly. The exercise targeted unauthorised traders obstructing pedestrian walkways and public roads in a bid to improve traffic flow, sanitation, and urban order.

While touring the CBD during the enforcement exercise, Minister Ocloo made it clear that the days of leniency are over.

“We’re deploying a 24-hour task force to enforce the rules,” she said. “Red lines will be marked on the roads, and any trader who crosses them will be fined between GH₵1,500 and GH₵2,000. Market leaders will also be appointed to support monitoring and ensure compliance.”

The move is part of a broader strategy to enforce city bylaws and maintain order as Accra grapples with increasing congestion.

In a related development, the AMA’s Metropolitan Chief Executive, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, revealed that the city is considering plans to periodically close selected streets within the CBD to accommodate traders—under specific conditions.

“Under the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, we are exploring designated days where some streets will be blocked off to allow market women to trade legally,” he explained. “During these times, drivers will be rerouted, and the AMA will issue trading permits to the vendors.”

Allotey emphasized that the aim is to balance economic activity with the need for urban order, allowing trading to continue in a structured and lawful way without compromising the city’s functionality.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime and Investigation

OSP Charges Paul Adom-Otchere Over GACL Contract; Fails to Meet Bail Conditions

Published

on

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally charged Paul Adom-Otchere, former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), alongside two other individuals, in connection with a contentious revenue assurance contract.

 

Despite being granted bail, Mr. Adom-Otchere remains in custody after failing to meet the bail requirement of providing two landed properties registered in his name. He reportedly informed investigators that he does not own any such properties in Ghana, making compliance with the condition unattainable.

 

Also charged are Otchere Kwame Baffour Awuah, Group Executive for Commercial Services at GACL, and Albert Adjetey Adjei-Laryea, Chief Executive Officer of Devnest Systems.

 

The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into a revenue assurance contract awarded to a private firm allegedly linked to the owner of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML). The OSP is examining suspected procurement violations, including the alleged sole-sourcing of a company that did not receive board approval from GACL.

 

Mr. Adom-Otchere was summoned for questioning on Thursday, July 31, following a formal notice issued on July 25, 2025.

 

In an interview with Citi Newsroom prior to his appearance before the OSP, Adom-Otchere described the investigation as politically driven. “I describe this as a witch-hunt,” he stated, asserting that he played no part in executing the contract. “The contract in question was signed by the Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company, and I was not even aware it had been executed.”

 

He further questioned why the investigation is focused on him instead of the GACL management officials who handled the contract process.

 

The OSP is expected to release additional information on the case and outline the next steps in the legal process in the coming days.

Continue Reading

Crime and Investigation

OSP’s Bail Conditions for Adom-Otchere ‘Unjust and Excessive’ – Lawyer

Published

on

Nicholas Lenin Anane Agyei, legal representative for Paul Adom-Otchere, has condemned the bail terms set by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), describing them as harsh and discriminatory.

 

This follows the OSP’s directive that Mr. Adom-Otchere, former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), must present two landed properties registered in his name before securing bail. Despite being officially granted bail, he remains in custody due to his inability to meet this condition.

 

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Thursday, July 31, Mr. Agyei expressed concern that the OSP’s demands appear intended to deliberately prolong Mr. Adom-Otchere’s detention.

 

He argued that the requirement was not only excessive but also unfair to individuals without significant assets.

 

“Asking for two landed properties in the name of the accused is an unreasonable demand, especially when it’s known he doesn’t own any. It’s as though the system is designed to deny bail to those without wealth,” he said.

 

Mr. Agyei further revealed that during preliminary procedures, Mr. Adom-Otchere had clearly indicated that he does not possess any landed properties. Despite this disclosure, the OSP still made such a condition central to his bail.

 

“It’s concerning that the OSP would insist on such conditions even after learning about his lack of property ownership. This, in our view, amounts to a veiled attempt to keep him behind bars,” he added.

 

He assured the public that the legal team is actively pursuing all lawful channels to challenge the conditions and secure the release of his client.

 

Continue Reading

Crime and Investigation

OSP Invites Former GACL Board Chair Paul Adom-Otchere Over Suspected Corruption in Audit Deal

Published

on

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has summoned Paul Adom-Otchere, the former Board Chairman of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and financial irregularities.

 

The probe focuses on a revenue assurance audit contract between GACL and a private firm, with suspicions surrounding the financial management and accounting of airport revenues under the agreement.

 

In an official letter dated July 25, 2025, the OSP identified Mr. Adom-Otchere as a suspect in the matter, citing potential corruption and corruption-related offenses. He has been asked to appear at the OSP’s South Ridge office on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

 

Confirming receipt of the summons in an interview with Myjoyonline.com, Mr. Adom-Otchere, who recently completed his term as board chair, disclosed that his legal team has requested a new date—Monday, August 4—due to court engagements in Kumasi.

 

While pledging his full cooperation, he expressed surprise at being singled out, arguing that the decision-making around the contract was primarily handled by GACL management and its managing director, both of whom remain in office and available to assist with the inquiry.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 KPDOnline. Powered by AfricaBusinessFile