Koforidua, July 15, GNA - The New Juaben Municipal Assembly has embarked on a decongestion exercise to clear hawkers from the streets and pavements.

Last Wednesday members of the decongestion task force pulled down kiosks and other structures on the pavements. Mr John Donkor, Budget Officer of the assembly who is also in-charge of the exercise, told Ghana News Agency (GNA) that it was to ensure traders and hawkers moved from the streets and pavements. He said two years ago, a similar exercise was undertaken but the traders returned to the streets creating congestion for pedestrians and vehicles.

Mr Donkor explained that the Zongo market was built for traders who complained that they had no stalls at Juaben Serwaa market, but they deserted the market and returned to the streets after the exercise. He pointed out that the new market had enough spaces and stalls to accommodate the traders and hawkers on the streets and pavements. Mr Donkor said the assembly had improved conditions at the market with gravelling and provided warehouses for their wares. He said Municipal Guards would be positioned at vantage points to ensure sanity to sustain the exercise until the municipality was decongested. 15 July 07