REGSEC, KMA engage media for successful re-opening of Kejetia roads

The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) in collaboration with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) have given traders doing business on pavements and roads at Kejetia in the Central Business District (CBD) of Kumasi, up to February 11, 2019, to vacate those areas in their own interest.

“We are advising traders who have taken over arterial roads linking Kejetia that they have the option to relocate to any of the 34 satellite markets dotted across the city,” Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, the Regional Minister, told a press conference in Kumasi. This, he said, was to help decongest the CBD as managers of the city plan to re-open the arterial roads, following completion of the first phase of the multi-million dollar Kejetia/Central Market Redevelopment Project.

The programme had in attendance the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, as well as all representatives of the various security agencies and other stakeholders.                                  

It aimed at updating the media on preparations made so far, especially by the KMA, for the successful eviction of the traders, who had for some time now virtually taken over the arterial roads.                    

The conference was also to solicit the media’s support and partnership in educating the traders on the need for them to vacate those unauthorized areas to pave way for the smooth commuting of vehicles when the roads were finally re- opened.                                 

“We have no intention to destroy anybody’s business, however, the right thing must be done to ensure the free flow of traffic in and around Kejetia,” Mr. Osei-Mensah, who is also Chairman of the REGSEC, noted.

Work done in the first phase of the multi-million project includes construction of arterial roads linking Kejetia, bus terminal and shops, fire and police stations, a clinic, sewage system, amongst others.

“No trader would be allowed to sell on the streets after the ultimatum,” the Regional Minister cautioned, explaining that the intended exercise by the authorities did not constitute a full-scale decongestion exercise, but to enhance the safety of the traders.

Mr. Osei Assibey, on his part, took the media through efforts made so far to decongest the arterial roads peacefully and successfully. The KMA, he said, had already engaged the various transport unions, as well as leadership of the traders, and other key stakeholders to highlight processes for the re-opening of Kejetia arterial roads.