Managing traffic congestion in the Accra Central Market, Ghana
DOI: 10.1016/j.jum.2018.04.002
archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified
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Summary
This study investigates the causes, effects, and management strategies of traffic congestion in the Accra Central Market (Makola Market), Ghana. Motivated by the severe impact of congestion on productivity, sales, and urban life in Ghanaian cities, the research aims to assess the phenomenon from the perspective of market users. The study addresses four key questions regarding the causes, effects, existing management measures, and necessary interventions for traffic congestion in this critical commercial hub. The researchers employed an exploratory design, utilizing a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected via questionnaires administered to a convenience sample of 300 respondents, including traders, shoppers, drivers, and pedestrians. Qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews with five officials from relevant management institutions, such as the Motor Traffic and Transport Department and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly. Additionally, non-participant observations were conducted. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS v21, while qualitative data were manually categorized and analyzed. The findings identify the primary causes of congestion as the poor attitude of drivers, traders, and pedestrians, road traffic crashes, and inadequate road designs. Specific contributing factors include poor lane discipline, lack of designated parking spaces, and the obstruction of traffic lanes by trading activities. The study reveals that congestion peaks between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, affecting over 66% of respondents. The effects of this congestion are significant, leading to decreased sales and productivity, increased stress, and reduced quality of life. The research also notes that current management systems are insufficient, characterized by archaic management practices and a lack of strict enforcement of traffic regulations. The study concludes that managing traffic congestion requires a multi-faceted approach. It recommends public education to improve driver and pedestrian behavior, strict enforcement of road traffic regulations, and the provision of adequate parking spaces and dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. These measures are intended to mitigate the negative economic and social impacts of congestion. The findings provide a basis for policy formulation in Accra and offer replicable strategies for other market centers in Ghana and similar developing urban contexts.
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| Stage | Outcome | Tool | Model | Prompt | Attempts | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| discover | success | OpenAlex-citations | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-25 |
| archive | success | openalex | — | — | 5 | 2026-06-26 |
| extract | success | cached | — | — | 2 | 2026-06-26 |
| clean | success | clean | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-25 |
| chunk | success | chunk | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-25 |
| embed | success | embed | Qwen/Qwen3-Embedding-8B | — | 1 | 2026-06-25 |
| promote | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-25 |
| summarize | success | llm | qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant | summ-v5 | 1 | 2026-06-26 |
| tag | success | vector_similarity | — | — | 6 | 2026-06-25 |
| verify | success | — | — | — | 1 | 2026-06-26 |
Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.
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