The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has dismissed as misleading a picture of a Market Toll ticket, MT 0010624) dated 06/04/18, which is in circulation on social media.
The caption associated with the post, AMA said is misleading and deemed to be a calculated attempt to court public disaffection towards the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.
“Therefore, the AMA would want to put on record that the gazetted *2018 Fee Fixing Resolution* does not include head porters as tolls chargeable group and that the directive from Central government not to charge Head Porters tolls is still in force”, a release signed by Metro Coordinating Director, Sam Ayeh Datey on behalf of the Metro Chief Executive said.
The head porters, commonly referred to as “Kayayei engage in carrying goods for a fee especially in commercial areas, mostly in and around market centers and major bus terminals.
They are employed by travelers, shop owners, general shoppers, or traders and are used to offset the difficulty of vehicles accessing the center of the markets to load or discharge goods.
On the other hand, a hawker is someone who travels around to merchandise or sell easily transportable goods.
In addition, the gazetted 2018 Fee Fixing Resolution captured hawkers in a chargeable group, which mandate them to pay a daily toll of GH¢ 1.00 but not “Kayayei” as the story sought to portray.
“The AMA wishes to express its outmost dissatisfaction with the said impression being created and urge all to desist from churning out such misrepresentation and to cross check with the Assembly before putting out of such material since the City authority is operating an open door policy”, the release stated.
The Assembly wishes to assure all stakeholders that it is working in accordance with the directive to ensure a smart, sustainable and resilient city to improve the quality of life of people living within the city by providing leadership and opportunities for social and economic development whilst maintaining a clean attractive and a secured environment for the benefit of residents businessesu and all visitors.
