Accra tries to ease traffic congestion

Measures include changing traffic flow and removal of illegally-parked vehicles

Accra has launched a new traffic operation to reduce congestion in the traffic-clogged capital, particularly over the Christmas period.

Known as “Operation let traffic flow” the initiative has been organised by city and police authorities and comes in response to repeated complaints from residents about the length of time spent stuck in traffic.

The plans include changing the direction of traffic flow on certain streets and converting others to one-way lanes. The programme will also see the removal of street traders from the city's principal thoroughfares, particularly in the central business district, as well as the installation of more traffic lights and street signs, and the towing away of all illegally parked vehicles.

Some of the main sreets earmarked for change include the Winneba-Mallam Junction Road, Nsawam-Ofankor Road, Madina-Adentan, the Airport bypass, Independence Square, and John Atta Mills Street.

The operation comes nine months after Ghana's Department of Urban Roads (DUR) implemented a $135-million urban traffic management project in Accra. Known as the Accra Intelligent Traffic Management System (AITMS), the scheme revolves around a centrally-controlled and integrated traffic signal system.