Ahead of the official commissioning of the newly constructed Flower Pot Interchange by President Nana Akufo-Addo on November 19, 2024, hawkers in the area have voiced their concerns over potential displacement.
The interchange, part of the Motorway Interchange Project designed to ease traffic flow and provide a reliable North-South route, has raised fears among vendors who rely on roadside sales for their daily sustenance.
With traffic still heavy despite ongoing construction, hawkers face uncertain futures as authorities signal plans to clear the area.
During a visit by ABC News GH, hawkers shared their apprehension about losing their livelihoods once the flyover is completed. One vendor explained, “We are also needed; we feed a lot of workers who use this road.”
The hawkers’ worries highlight the tension between infrastructure development and the informal economy. Although the interchange promises to improve traffic conditions, it may come at the expense of those who have long thrived on the flow of commuters.
“We are all helping each other,” another hawker noted, emphasizing the community’s role in supporting one another.
“If they sack us from this place, we have nowhere to go to. We are pleading with the government to help us.”
By Derrick kumi Kissiedu and Henry Ayisi – ABC News GH
