Accra Mayor Rallies Security Agencies for Major Decongestion Exercise Starting February 1
The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has embarked on a working visit to key security agencies across the metropolis to secure their full operational support for a major decongestion exercise scheduled to commence on February 1, 2026.
The tour covered the Ministries, Accra Central, Railways, Jamestown, Korle Bu, Mamprobi, and Kaneshie security commands, as well as the 31st Makola Metro Fire Station and the North Industrial Area (STC) Fire Station.
Speaking to the media after the engagements, Mayor Allotey commended the agencies for maintaining strong policing and public calm throughout the festive season.
He conveyed appreciation on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama for the professionalism and dedication shown by officers and commanders during the period.
The Mayor assured the agencies of his commitment to addressing their concerns, stating that he would collaborate with relevant units of the Assembly and stakeholders to resolve issues affecting effective policing and emergency response.
On the upcoming decongestion exercise, Hon. Allotey announced a shift from persuasion to strict enforcement, emphasizing that the Assembly would apply the law fully.
“This operation will mark a shift from persuasion to strict enforcement. We will apply the law fully during the exercise,” he said.
He explained that the exercise forms part of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s broader effort to restore order in the Central Business District and other congestion-prone corridors, improve pedestrian safety, enhance traffic flow, and support sanitation enforcement across the city.
The Mayor highlighted that the February operation would target growing congestion in markets and along major roads, where trading and hawking have spilled onto streets and pedestrian walkways, creating safety risks.
“We will enforce the city’s ‘red line’ policy. Persons who violate the directive will face prosecution at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Sanitation Court,” he warned.
Hon. Allotey stressed the need for coordinated, intelligence-led, and professional support from security services to ensure enforcement is firm, orderly, and carried out with restraint and respect for the public.
He appealed to the security agencies to join the Assembly for what he described as the “biggest decongestion exercise” in the metropolis, adding that enforcement would be firm and offenders who intentionally breach the law would be sanctioned.
Heads of the security agencies visited pledged their full support for the exercise and assured the Mayor of their readiness to collaborate with the Assembly to ensure orderly enforcement and public safety.
The Mayor reiterated that the Assembly would continue stakeholder engagements and operational planning with relevant departments and partner institutions to ensure the exercise achieves its objectives and is sustained beyond the initial enforcement phase.
