Day 3 of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) decongestion exercise has left several young traders and vendors frustrated, as many of their structures were demolished and goods confiscated during the ongoing operation.
Some of the affected youth, who spoke to MX24 News on Thursday May 22, 2025, expressed deep concern over the impact of the exercise on their livelihoods. They revealed that their makeshift stalls and kiosks were destroyed without prior notice, and personal belongings as well as merchandise were seized by AMA task force officials.
“They took everything—my matteress, clothes, and even my Ghana card. I don’t know how I’ll recover,” lamented one affected youth.
The group is now appealing directly to the Mayor of Accra and other city authorities to return their items and offer clarity on how they can legally operate their businesses moving forward.
The decongestion operation, which began earlier this week, is part of AMA’s broader efforts to clear pedestrian walkways, reduce traffic congestion, and enforce sanitation and urban planning regulations in the central business district and surrounding areas.
City authorities have yet to respond to the requests from the affected youth.
Meanwhile, the AMA has reiterated its commitment to restoring order in Accra, emphasizing that the exercise will continue in the coming days.
 decongestion exercise has left several young traders and vendors frustrated, as many of their structures were demolished and goods confiscated during the ongoing operation.){kind=link}