The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced plans to redevelop low-rise structures into modern multi-storey facilities under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, disclosed this at an engagement with tenants of its commercial buildings in the Central Business District (CBD), held at the Naa Dedei Omaedru III Hall.
He explained that the initiative is part of efforts to tackle chronic congestion in the city’s core by “building vertically.”
According to the MCE, every low-rise commercial building owned by the Assembly would be redeveloped into high-rise structures to create more space for traders currently operating on streets and pavements.
He indicated that the redevelopment model would allow private investors to finance and construct the facilities, citing a recently completed PPP project as a successful example.
He said that a thorough data collection exercise would be undertaken to document all current tenants, including their Ghana Card details, photographs, and shop records, to create a verified tenant album. This, he stressed, would ensure fairness and transparency in reallocation after completion.
“We need to engage you to have a discussion on the way forward,” the Mayor told the tenants, urging them to cooperate and “work within the timelines.”
He pointed out the project was expected to be completed within five months, with critical ground-floor shops finished within two months to minimize trader displacement.
Responding to the concerns, Mayor Allotey assured tenants of their right to return, stressing that their rent payments form an important revenue stream for the Assembly.
The Mayor also referenced a recent fatal incident at the COCOBOD enclave where a pedestrian lost her life after being forced to walk on the road due to street trading, affirming that the tragedy underscored the urgency of decongesting pavements and improving pedestrian safety.
While welcoming the initiative, some tenants expressed concerns about the one-month deadline to vacate their shops and requested written assurances of reallocation. They also cited past instances where traders were denied access to redeveloped facilities.
The meeting, attended by the Metro Coordinating Director, Mr. Douglas N.K. Annoful, and the Metro Security Coordinator, ended with an agreement to hold further consultations on reallocation terms and to provide written guarantees to address the traders’ concerns.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
