The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has confirmed that trading activities will be strictly prohibited on the Kaneshie footbridge once ongoing rehabilitation works are completed.
According to the Assembly, the decision forms part of broader efforts to improve pedestrian safety and maintain order on major walkways across the capital. The Kaneshie footbridge, which serves thousands of commuters daily, has for years been heavily congested due to the presence of traders occupying significant portions of the structure.
Officials explained that the rehabilitation project is aimed not only at restoring the physical condition of the footbridge but also at ensuring it functions for its intended purpose—safe and free movement of pedestrians. The AMA noted that allowing trading on the bridge after the upgrade would undermine these objectives and pose safety risks, particularly during peak hours.
The Assembly emphasized that enforcement measures will be intensified once the project is completed. Task forces will be deployed to prevent hawkers and traders from returning to the bridge, with offenders expected to face sanctions in line with city by-laws.
AMA further indicated that alternative trading spaces are being considered for affected vendors as part of measures to ease the impact of the directive. However, it stressed that public safety remains the top priority.
Residents and commuters who use the Kaneshie route have largely welcomed the move, citing frequent congestion and difficulty in accessing the bridge due to trading activities. Many expressed hope that strict enforcement will be sustained to preserve the gains from the rehabilitation.
The Assembly reiterated its commitment to keeping Accra’s public spaces safe, accessible, and orderly, urging traders and the general public to cooperate with the new measures once the project is completed.
