Ministries area off limits.

The so-called ministries area in Accra is to become off-limits to all but employees in a move aimed at improving working conditions in the public administration. The restrictions, which concern the area running from the Accra sports stadium in the east to Kinbu gardens in the west and from the Volta River Authority offices area in the south to Ridge in the north, are directed at people selling bread, goats, cloth and alcohol in particular and are due to come into force in October. The government also hopes to rid the area of lotto kiosks.

Announcing the decision in early July, public sector reform minister Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom said the purpose is to get the ministries area to become a better environment to get the work of government done efficiently. He cited the examples of Botswana, South Africa and Tanzania, where you cannot just walk into offices of centralized executive function [and] records centres without an appointment and appropriate clearance. The ministry has already launched a campaign to educate the public about the move.