The Mayor of Accra, Mr Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has appealed to traders at the Kantamanto Market to strictly comply with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) Red Line Policy and actively support sanitation efforts through the introduction of a GH₵2 daily toll system beginning next year.

He made the call during the official reopening of the market on Monday and the unveiling of the Kantamanto Obroniwawu Businesses’ Association, nearly seven months after a devastating fire had razed more than 7,000 shops, displaced over 30,000 traders, and claimed one life.

Mayor Allotey explained that the AMA currently spends about 70% of its internally generated funds on sanitation.

To improve efficiency in revenue collection and waste management, the Assembly has decided to replace the GH₵15 annual market license fee with a GH₵2 daily toll.

“This fairer system will make life easier for traders while still helping us generate the revenue we need to manage refuse collection.

I assure you that all the revenue collected will be used to improve sanitation so that our market and streets remain clean and healthy for everyone,” he assured.

The Mayor also urged traders to respect the Red Line demarcations, cautioning against street trading, which he said fuels congestion, endangers lives, and disrupts free movement.

“I am not against any trader. I am only against disorder and congestion that block the progress of our city.

I am pleading with you to stay behind the red line,” he emphasised.

Leaders of the Kantamanto Traders Association confirmed that members had agreed to comply with the new GH₵2 daily toll system starting next year.

They described it as a step toward restoring order and sustaining sanitation management following the January fire outbreak.