The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has acknowledged the severe congestion currently gripping parts of the Accra Central Business District (CBD), attributing it to the annual Christmas rush as thousands of people troop into the city centre for trading and shopping activities.
Speaking on ABC In The Morning on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, the Public Relations Officer of the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, said the Assembly had anticipated the surge in human and vehicular traffic ahead of the festive season.
“As an Assembly, we anticipated the number of people coming into the city for business, especially around the city centre,” he stated.
All major roads leading to the CBD have been heavily congested, with long winding gridlocks compounded by intense human activity. Areas such as Makola and its environs have been particularly affected as traders and shoppers prepare for Christmas.
The traffic situation has become so unbearable that some commuters, especially passengers in public transport, are forced to abandon their vehicles and complete their journeys on foot. Others, unable to walk long distances, have resorted to using motorbikes, popularly known as Okada, despite the continued ban and periodic police crackdowns on their operations.
Among the most affected routes are the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue from the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange to the CBD, the K.A. Busia Highway (Mallam–Kaneshie), the N4 stretch from Ayi-Mensah through Madina to the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange, the Independence (Liberation) Avenue from Tetteh Quarshie to Accra, the George Bush Highway from Dzorwulu Junction to Accra Mall, and the J.E.A. Atta Mills High Street linking the Ministries enclave and the new court complex.
Initial reports from the scene indicate that on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, several individuals suffered acute breathing difficulties due to overcrowding, heat and mounting pressure within the packed commercial areas.
The fire service personnel were swiftly deployed to assess the situation and responded by deploying engines to spray water in an effort to cool the areas as rising temperatures and mounting pressure within the crowds intensified.
According to Mr Ankrah, the Assembly had put contingency measures in place to reduce risks associated with the congestion.
“Measures were put in place to ensure that at least we are able to minimise any eventualities, with respect to disasters, loss of life or even properties,” he said.
He also commended the Ghana National Fire Service for its prompt response.
“We want to use this opportunity to thank the fire service for responding quickly and ensuring that at least there weren’t any loss of life,” he added.
Mr Ankrah further revealed that the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kwarcoo Allotey, has been personally supervising safety efforts across the city.
“The Mayor has consistently been moving around the city to ensure that issues of public safety are adhered to,” he noted.
The AMA has urged the public to remain calm, cooperate with security and emergency services, and exercise caution as Christmas activities peak in the capital.
