Accra Mayor Announces Plans to Close Selected CBD Streets for Christmas Traders

Accra Mayor, Hon. Nii Kpakpo Allotey, has announced plans to temporarily close some streets within the Accra Central Business District (CBD) to allow traders to operate and sell their goods ahead of the Christmas shopping season.

The mayor disclosed the plan while addressing concerns surrounding trading activities and the need to create more space for businesses during the busy festive period.

“From next week, we’re going to block some streets for you to sell on them,” he stated.

The proposed arrangement is expected to provide additional trading spaces for merchants who experience increased customer demand during the Christmas season. By making selected streets available for commercial activities, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) hopes to create room for traders to display their goods and serve shoppers preparing for the festivities.

Christmas is traditionally one of the busiest periods for businesses in Accra, particularly within the Central Business District, where thousands of shoppers visit markets and commercial centres to purchase clothing, food, household items, decorations and other festive essentials.

The increased commercial activity often puts pressure on available trading spaces, with some traders extending their businesses onto pavements and sections of roads. This can create challenges for pedestrians, motorists and public transport operators navigating the busy business district.

The mayor’s announcement suggests that the authorities are considering a planned arrangement that would allow some streets to be used specifically for trading rather than having commercial activities spread into unauthorised spaces.

However, the exact streets to be affected, the duration of the closures and the specific arrangements for traders have not yet been outlined in the statement provided.

The planned street closures could also have implications for motorists and commuters who regularly use roads within the CBD. Traffic diversions and alternative routes may therefore become necessary once the exercise begins.

Traders and shoppers will be watching for further information from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly regarding the implementation of the arrangement.

If successfully organised, the initiative could provide additional opportunities for traders during one of the most commercially active periods of the year while giving authorities an opportunity to manage festive-season trading activities more systematically.

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