The Regional Coordinator of the “Keep Greater Accra Clean” project, Mr. Tony Adisson Dodoo, has announced plans to construct a modern shopping mall at Kwame Nkrumah Circle as part of efforts to curb street trading and improve sanitation in Accra.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Mr. Dodoo appealed to traders to cooperate with authorities, noting that the growing use of trading containers within the city, especially around Circle, has worsened waste management challenges and contributed to congestion.
Last week, traders at the Holy Market near Circle staged a protest, expressing fears of losing their livelihoods over what they described as attempts to forcibly evict them from the site.
Mr. Dodoo explained that while many of the trading containers were originally built by Ghanaian traders for legitimate business, some have been rented out to foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians operating mobile phone businesses. This, he said, has pushed some Ghanaian traders onto streets and pavements, creating congestion and compounding environmental concerns.
“In light of this development, and in alignment with the government’s mission to keep Accra clean and safe, we are introducing a sustainable and well-structured plan involving the construction of a modern shopping mall,” he said.
The proposed facility, he added, will serve as an organized hub for traders, with allocation of spaces done on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure fairness.
Mr. Dodoo stressed that the initiative is not meant to disadvantage any group but to establish a regulated, clean, and sustainable trading environment. “With your support, we want to ensure that Accra reflects its true status as a modern capital city — clean, safe, and welcoming,” he said, urging Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to collaborate for the project’s success.
He also appealed to the media to help sensitize traders about the project’s benefits, noting that with stakeholder support, Accra can be transformed into a city conducive for business and attractive to tourists.
The media were later taken on a tour of the market to observe the current situation.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
