<<Print>>

�I DO not care to lose my position as the mayor of Accra and I am ever prepared to be removed rather than look on for the city of Accra to be messed up.� These were the words of Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, the Chief Executive of Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in reaction to a 14-day ultimatum given him by some traders in the city to quit his position or be forced out of office. The group had backed their decision with a press briefing last Wednesday saying the AMA boss has been unable to deliver on his promise to clear the city of filth. They further claimed his recent exercise meant to get rid of street hawkers was not in line with his promise. But Mr. Vanderpuije says if the President who appointed him, dismisses him because of the hawkers he will not hesitate to quit his position. �Those who are calling for my resignation should never dream of getting anyone who will allow them to continue their illegal activities,� he added. According to him, even if he is removed from his post, he will use his position as a native of Accra to ensure the city is free of all unauthorized activities. Mr. Vanderpuije noted that although managing the city is very challenging particularly in terms of decongestion, he will never relent his efforts to make the city clean. �There are lots of reasons to embark on decongestion exercises, or struggle to drive hawkers from the streets and unauthorized places. There are many benefits associated with it.� He explained that hawkers through illegal activities destroy the grass and plants meant to beautify the city and pose a threat to themselves and other road users especially motorists. He observed that whilst some people are condemning the Assembly, others are in support of it �so the Assembly has to do what is right and not to please a select few.� He stressed allegations by the hawkers that they do not have markets to sell their wares at is baseless as they do not have to get stalls or stores before they can works. �As they are currently hawking on the streets and pavement, they should do same when they go into the markets and those who want to acquire stalls or stores should come to the Assembly for negotiation.� Currently there are about 39 markets within the Greater Accra metropolis and �there are lots of free spaces within those markets,� he maintained. The Mayor has pledged that efforts would be made to transform Accra into a modern city that could meet the challenges of contemporary times. Touching on the misconduct of some AMA city guards, he said there was no need for Ghanaians to use a few bad incidents to condemn the good work of the Assembly. Recent reports have it that in attempts to drive away street hawkers, a city guard chopped off a trader�s ear and there are allegations of some traders being beaten. �It is a matter of managing the issues and dealing with the culprits accordingly. All the city guards who had been deployed to ensure that hawkers respect the directive have been given enough training at the police training school whilst others underwent an in-house training. It is sad that there are a few bad nuts in the midst of good ones.�