Hawkers invade newly constructed Tetteh Quarshie footbridge

Europa

October 29, 2015 12:04 PM

The Tetteh Quarshie footbridge was opened in August to make movement along the area less difficult and dangerous.

Some traders and hawkers are gradually turning the newly constructed footbridge at the Tetteh Quarshie interchange into a market.

However, two months on, a brisk trading activity is breeding congestion on the footbridge constructed to aid movement of pedestrians.

On a visit to the area by pulse tv, a ‘makeshift shopping mall’ has taken over the path leading to the footbridge.

Cooked food, footwear, second-hand clothing, footballs, jerseys, mobile phones and puppies among others are some of the items for sale at reduced prices under the bridge.

A woman, in her late 30s was busily attending to customers who had gathered in front of her to purchase some jewelry and make-up kits she had laid on a table top to sell.

Other patrons were busily trying to fit into shoes which have been spread on the ground for sale.

Some of the traders were also operating from wooden and metal frames.

To make matters worse, some commercial drivers have turned the major bus stop in the area into a terminal where they park to load their vehicles and to drop off passengers as well.

This is in spite of a notice at the bus stop instructing drivers not to stop at the bus stop for more than a minute.

Meanwhile, while some passers-by have complained that the activities of the traders are causing a lot of nuisance.

"Their presence is obstructing one way or the other. If you are not careful and you touch on one of their products, they will insult you. It is not an authorised place to sell," a passer-by told Pulse Tv.

Others however said, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the presence of the traders.

"Let's allow them to make money to fend for their families. As far as they are not pick-pockets, they can continue with their trade," another passer-by added.

This practice, however, is not only limited to the Tetteh Quarshie footbridge, but also to other footbridges at Circle and Kaneshie.

On the Kaneshie footbridge, hawkers have been seen selling their wares in the full glare of AMA bodyguards who have been tasked to prevent the practice.

There have been reports that the AMA city guards demand bribes from the hawkers and allow them to sell on the bridge.

Some Ghanaians have, however, called on the authorities of the AMA to take action on some of these activities to help ease congestion on the streets.

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