The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA) on Monday embarked on decongestion exercise in the central business area of Tamale particularly under the Gbewaa Overhead to enhance human and vehicle movement.
The exercise, which sought to halt trading activities under the overhead and the street, focused on demolishing structures erected under the overhead, and the streets around it as well as clearing of vehicles parked at unauthorized places.
It was undertaken by members of the Assembly’s Task Force and supervised by security services.
Mr Sule Salifu, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, addressing the media after the exercise, said the Tamale Metropolitan Security Council (MESEC) had consultation engagements with stakeholders including Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, National Road Safety Authority, Chiefs, Imams, and groups, who traded illegally under the overhead prior the decongestion exercise.
He said the Assembly had the support of Ya-Na Abukari II, Overlord of Dagbon, to relocate traders, whose unauthorised activities were abusing the overhead.
He noted that the victims of the exercise were pre-informed to relocate to the Kukuo and Kakpagyili satellite markets, but they resisted, adding that the Assembly would keep demolishing structures until traders vacated the area.
Mr Amadu Mustapha Zachari, Public Relations Officer of TaMA said the decongestion targeted the Gbewaa Overhead area because it was being used for activities other than the reason it was constructed, thereby obstructing movements.
He said any reaction from occupants of the demolished structure was for public sympathy, saying that all options and alternatives to get traders off the space proved futile despite numerous notices.
