AMA allows hawkers to sell along pavements

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Tuesday consented to hawkers appeal to sell along pavements and walk ways within the city.

It, however, directed the hawkers to position themselves in such a way that they do not obstruct pedestrians and traffic by displaying their wares on the pavements and the streets.

This followed a meeting chaired by AMA Chief Executive, Mr Victor Addokwei-Addo in Accra to deliberate on the problems of hawkers in the city and to stop the frequent harassment by the police and AMA traffic guards.

Mr Addokwei-Addo said the harassment is not in the interest of either the AMA or the hawkers, describing it as a hectic exercise and a drain on the resources of both parties

Mr Addokwei-Addo said, "If we set the rules, let us make sure that we obey them" and warned that if the hawkers failed to abide by the rule then they would have themselves to blame.

The two parties agreed to explore other alternatives to street hawking without causing inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists.

Hawkers from the Rawlings Park, Tema station, Electricity, Kinbu, Angelina House, Mokola, UTC, IRS and Okaishie were represented at the meting.

Mr Addokwei-Addo asked the various groups to set up task force to monitor activities of hawkers within their jurisdiction alongside AMA teams.

To ensure that the hawkers abide by their own regulations, he urged the groups to delegate two representatives each to serve on a central committee to be set up by the AMA to explore other ways of solving the problem of street hawking.