By Michael Foli Jackidy
Dzodze (V/R), Mar. 23, GNA – The Ketu North Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) and Transport Unions, has begun a massive decongestion exercise to clear traders from the main roads in Dzodze on market days.
The initiative, which started on Friday, March 21, is aimed at positioning Dzodze as one of the ten cities earmarked for the Smart SDG Cities project.
It is also in line with the government’s Resetting Ghana Agenda, which seeks to improve urban management and infrastructure.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Jasper Adenyo, the Coordinating Director of the Assembly, emphasised that the move was necessary to modernize Dzodze and bring order to the town’s layout.
“Even though this town has been built for many years, we can still modernize it. In a smart city, you cannot have roads meant for vehicles and pedestrians taken over by traders on market days. People arrange their goods onto the main roads, making traffic management very difficult.”
He further stressed that Dzodze serves as the starting point of the Trans-ECOWAS Highway, a critical route for heavy-duty trucks from Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal.
The presence of traders on the roads poses a serious safety risk, as a brake failure from one of these trucks could lead to disaster.
“We cannot sit and allow such a dangerous situation to persist. It is our responsibility to act now before lives are lost.”
Mr Adenyo explained that the decongestion exercise aligns with the government’s vision for urban transformation.
Despite the absence of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), the Assembly is determined to proceed with the plan.
“We don’t have to wait for our MMDCEs to be appointed before implementing necessary reforms. Today, people will be amazed to see that on a Dzodze market day, the main road is so clear that vehicles can move. Previously, due to congestion, drivers could barely go 20 km/h.”
He added that empty spaces are available in the market, and traders have no reason to occupy the roads instead.
“We have asked all traders to relocate inside the market. Some are complying, but others are stubborn. For them, we have deployed our DRIP machines to remove their stalls. These machines also prevent vehicles from parking illegally.”
He assured that the exercise will not be a one-day event, but a continuous effort until the vision of a well-organized, smart city is fully realized.
To ensure full compliance, Mr Adenyo noted that meetings have been scheduled with motorbike riders to educate them on the new traffic rules.
“Motorcycle riders must also adhere to the new rules. We will engage them to ensure everyone plays their part in creating a safer Dzodze.”
Mr. Edward Seke, the Presiding Member of the Assembly, also backed the initiative, emphasizing that hawkers risk their lives by selling on the streets.
“We are not wishing for disaster but imagine what would happen if a moving vehicle’s brakes failed. Hundreds of people could lose their lives.”
He highlighted another challenge—some local traders occupy market spaces they no longer use, preventing newcomers from setting up their businesses.
“Some traders inherited their market spaces from their great-grandmothers, yet they no longer sell. Meanwhile, traders from Denu, Sogakope, and Aflao come here on market days only to struggle for space. This move will bring relief to everyone.”
Mr. Seke also appealed to local market women to allow visiting traders to sell, as diverse businesses contribute to economic growth.
“Every town that develops does so with the help of strangers. If we restrict business opportunities to only locals, our town will not grow. I plead with our women to allow their fellow traders to sell.”
He acknowledged that change is often difficult at first, but urged traders to comply, assuring them that the outcome will benefit all.
“The beginning of every reform is tough, but in the end, we will all smile. Let us work together to make this a success.”
Some traders expressed support for the initiative, saying it has improved safety and traffic flow.
“The roads were so congested that crossing them was dangerous. Sometimes, we had to wait for 10 minutes just to find a safe spot to cross, or risk being knocked down by a motorbike,” one trader told GNA.
Another trader added: “I really like this initiative. I wish it would stay this way forever.”
The exercise is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with strict enforcement to ensure traders and transport operators comply with the new regulations.
GNA
MA/AD