Hawkers Back On The Streets

Hawkers are back on the streets barely a week after they were hounded by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. The AMA boss Alfred Vanderpiuje, only yesterday promised, Accra streets will be free from hawkers as his policy of decongestion was well on track. But that does not appear to be the case. Newsmen who toured the central business district of Accra, reports the hawkers are back in full swing. They have displayed their wares, selling from vegetables to wax-prints. Those who had their stalls reduced to ashes were seen carrying their wares and selling to passers-by. Youngs said the AMA guards armed with their batons were reduced to spectators as they watched the hawkers engage in brisk business. The story was no different at the Kwame Nkrumah pedestrian mall, as the hawkers, according to Youngs had taken over the pavements. Some of the hawkers who spoke to the reporter repeated their call to be allowed to sell on the streets, since that was their only source of income. Others too appealed to government to provide alternative jobs which will keep them away from the street. They complained of being whipped by the AMA guards to move away from the streets. David Youngs said the AMA guards were not ready to comment on why they have allowed the hawkers to return. They do not have the right to speak on behalf of the AMA.