The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has paid a working visit to Ghana Post to officially brief its management on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s  upcoming decongestion exercise and request the state postal operator’s support, particularly in areas where Ghana Post has properties affected by encroachment.

According to the Mayor, the visit formed part of a broader round of engagements the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) had begun with security agencies and heads of institutions in communities earmarked for the decongestion, explaining that the AMA considered it necessary to notify stakeholders in advance and secure their cooperation.

He indicated that one of the areas expected to be affected included a Ghana Post enclave at North Kaneshie, adding that the Assembly chose to formally inform the company “out of respect” and to ensure smooth coordination when the operation begins.

Responding to concerns about the sustainability of earlier decongestion efforts and the apparent return of some traders to unauthorised locations, the Mayor said the initial operation had served as a “test case,” particularly because the city had not seen a similar decongestion drive in several years.

He said the AMA’s approach had included a more humane engagement strategy, stressing that enforcement had to be backed by the availability of alternative trading spaces for displaced traders.

The Mayor recalled that the Assembly had introduced designated “red lines” to demarcate no-trading zones, adding that the markings remained in place and the next phase would focus on renewed enforcement and re-demarcation where necessary to ensure compliance.

He pointed out that the AMA was advancing market infrastructure to support relocation arrangements, citing ongoing interventions around Salaga Market and activities at Makola Number 2.

He mentioned a broader night market/24-hour market initiative under the government, indicating that some of the planned facilities had already commenced, which, in his view, strengthened the Assembly’s ability to move traders and direct them to designated locations.

On what would be different in the new phase, the Mayor said the AMA had intensified engagement with traders, especially women, through education and direct dialogue, noting that many now acknowledged that trading in certain spaces was unauthorised.

He said the AMA’s objective was not to target traders, but to restore order in the city and deliver improvements that residents had mandated the Assembly to pursue, adding that Accra residents should expect a clearer impact from the operation by the end of the month.

The Managing Director of Ghana Post, Mrs Rita Sraha, who welcomed the initiative, said the company was pleased that the Mayor had taken the step to engage them directly on the exercise.

Mrs Sraha said Ghana Post held significant assets and stood to benefit from the removal of squatters and other forms of encroachment, noting that a cleaner environment would allow the company to better leverage and develop its properties.

She added that Ghana Post looked forward to collaborating with the AMA on the proper development of its lands in line with the President’s vision.