There is a dangerous point in the life of every society when repeated acts of indiscipline cease to shock us.
They become accepted, expected and eventually defended as "the way things are".
That is perhaps one of the greatest challenges confronting Accra today.
The city's descent into disorder has been so steady that many no longer question practices that would have been considered unacceptable a generation ago.
A month ago, I was in New Jersey for a visit.
One thing that struck me was the appearance of the road reservations.
They were neatly grassed, free of structures, and meticulously maintained.
There were no makeshift kiosks and no shipping containers converted into shops.
The reservations served the purpose for which they were designed: providing space for utilities, enhancing the city's aesthetics, and supporting proper drainage.
Returning to Accra was a stark reminder of how much we have normalised indiscipline.
Across the capital, road reservations have become marketplaces.
Shipping containers have been permanently stationed on reservations and used as food joints and provision shops; wooden kiosks and even residential structures have gradually taken over spaces meant to remain clear.
What began as temporary arrangements have become permanent features of our urban landscape.
Road reservations exist for engineering and environmental reasons.
They provide space for future road expansion, utility lines, emergency access and stormwater management.
It is, therefore, not unreasonable to ask whether the widespread occupation of road reservations contributes to the perennial flooding that plagues Accra.
When natural drainage channels are obstructed, and public lands intended to absorb or channel runoff are replaced with concrete structures, floodwater inevitably seeks other paths; often, into homes, businesses, and roads.
While flooding has multiple causes, our disregard for basic planning principles undoubtedly worsens the situation.
Unfortunately, the problem is not always the result of outright lawlessness. In some instances, planning authorities have issued temporary permits for non-permanent structures to be erected on road reservations.
While such permits may have been intended as short-term measures, they often become the basis for long-term occupation of public land.
Temporary kiosks evolve into permanent businesses, containers remain in place for years, and enforcement becomes increasingly difficult.
This practice undermines the very purpose of road reservations and sends the wrong signal that public spaces meant for critical infrastructure and environmental management are available for commercial exploitation.
If road reservations are to fulfil their intended function, authorities must resist the temptation to compromise sound planning principles for short-term revenue.
Most troubling
Most troubling is the attitude that accompanies these practices.
When authorities attempt to enforce the law, they are often accused of being insensitive or anti-poor.
Political interference sometimes undermines enforcement efforts, while offenders frequently expect regularisation rather than sanctions.
Consequently, compliance with the law becomes optional rather than obligatory.
Encroachers expect compensation when they are asked to move.
Equally disturbing is the increasing sight of livestock being on our streets.
attle, goats, sheep and sometimes camels are seen occupying major roads, disrupting traffic and creating sanitation and safety concerns.
At the time of writing this article, a train from Tema Harbour to Afienya had collided with a goat, causing severe damage to the train. How could this happen in any civilised city?
In cities aspiring to attract investment and tourism, such scenes should be the exception rather than the norm.
Yet, many of us simply drive past without a second thought.
We must note, however, that no city becomes orderly by accident.
Clean, functional and attractive cities are the product of consistent enforcement, responsible citizenship, and political courage.
Our greatest challenge is not the absence of legislation but the absence of sustained enforcement and the willingness to hold everyone accountable, regardless of status or influence.
Indiscipline does not become acceptable simply because it is widespread.
When we normalise behaviours that undermine safety, sanitation, and orderly development, we gradually erode the quality of life for everyone, and the consequences accumulate over time.
Governments spend millions correcting preventable problems, infrastructural projects are delayed or become more expensive, environmental degradation worsens, and public safety is compromised.
Ultimately, it is the ordinary citizen who bears the burden through poorer public services, flooding and reduced economic opportunities.
A city is ultimately a reflection of its people. If Accra is to become the modern, resilient city we envision, then indiscipline cannot be allowed to become our new normal.
If societies continue to normalise indiscipline, they should also expect to bear its growing economic and social costs.
Conversely, choosing discipline, respect for public property, and adherence to the rule of law lays a stronger foundation for sustainable development, shared prosperity, and a better quality of life for future generations.
The writer is a project management professional.
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