The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has led a special taskforce from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to remove unauthorised billboards, banners, and other advertising materials mounted on the Kaneshie footbridge.

Speaking during the exercise Mayor Allotey explained that the operation formed part of the Assembly’s “Reset Accra” agenda, which sought to beautify the city, decongest trading spaces, and improve public safety.

 He noted that the proliferation of unauthorised billboards and posters along major walkways not only obstruct visibility but also pose potential hazards to pedestrians adding that such practices would no longer be tolerated on public infrastructure, especially footbridges that were meant to provide safe crossing for pedestrians.

He said the Assembly would continue to embark on similar clean-up operations across all sub-metros to ensure that advertisers complied with the necessary permit requirements before mounting any signage. 

The Mayor, who was visibly concerned about the misuse of public spaces, also directed officers of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service not to allow any vehicle to park or load under the Kaneshie footbridge henceforth, warning that such activities contributed to congestion and compromise public safety.

He emphasised that the enforcement exercise was not targeted at traders or transport operators but was meant to protect lives and improve the flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic and called on all stakeholders to support the Assembly in its efforts to restore discipline in the use of public spaces.

During the operations, Mayor Allotey also engaged market women at the Kaneshie Market and assured them of  government’s commitment to establishing a Women’s Bank aimed at providing financial support and credit facilities to empower female traders.

Mayor Allotey encouraged the market women to complement the Assembly’s efforts by keeping their surroundings clean and comply with the city’s sanitation by-laws stressing that maintaining a clean market environment was critical to public health and would enhance the market’s attractiveness to shoppers.