Demolition exercise takes place in Kumasi (photos)

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong, yesterday led a team, including city guards of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to demolish a number of structures and tables placed on pathways and unapproved locations at Adum and Kejetia as part of measures to decongest and beautify the city.

Many of the ‘illegal’ occupants were yet to report for work, but the few who were present put up some level of resistance.

The regional minister led the early morning operation because the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the KMA, Mr Kojo Bonsu, is currently on his annual leave.

A number of traders who appeared on the scene watched in awe, with some hurling insults at the minister and the team and also cursing the government for depriving them of their livelihood.

A few broke down in tears and pleaded to be spared or given some time to look for an alternative location.

But Mr Sarpong, who was once the CEO of the assembly, rebuffed their pleas contending that together with the KMA Chief Executive, they were going to ensure that the city was cleared of filth and unauthorised structures.  

The regional minister had given a warning after the National Sanitation Day exercise last Saturday to demolish all unauthorised structures by yesterday. 

“Unfortunately, many took it [warning] for a joke. This is just the beginning;  they resist, we will call for police assistance and deal with them,” Mr Sarpong said.

Meanwhile, the demolition exercise has stirred controversy between assembly members and staff of the KMA, who believe that the timing of the action was wrong and that the ramifications could be dire.

In a follow-up interview the Daily Graphic had with some assembly members who pleaded anonymity, they said the action by the regional minister could undermine the authority of the chief executive officer of the KMA.

They contended that a time when public sectors workers were on strike was not the right for such an exercise which could create ill-feeling for the government. 

“Why the rush? Public sector workers are on strike and you want to add to the woes of the government? The timing is certainly wrong and this cannot be sustained,” one angry assembly member said.

“These traders need ample time to vacate the places they are occupying illegally. In any case, we collect tolls from them daily?. Is it fair to treat them this way?” asked another.

The KMA has in place a plan to reconstruct the central market at Kejetia into a modern edifice which would be capable of accommodating all traders, including a large number of itinerant sellers. 

Parliament recently approved a loan from Brazil to that effect. The new market is expected to contain over 4,000 stalls, enough to house traders, on pavements and in unapproved locations. 

The aggrieved assembly members were, however, of the view,  that since the market project was scheduled to begin in January 2015,  Mr Sarpong could have waited for the KMA chief executive to resume duty and be properly briefed and an alternative place found for the traders before the action was taken.

The disgruntled assembly members alleged that the minister had the intention to create disaffection for the assembly in order to have the CEO of KMA kicked out of office.  

Under the circumstances, they are calling on President John Dramani Mahama to step in to ease tension in the metropolis, else it could have unpleasent  effect on the NDC’s fortunes in the 2016 elections.

When pressed for his side of the story, the personal assistant to the CEO of the KMA, Mr Sammy Gyamfi, declined to comment.

{gallery}kma_demolition_at_adum{/gallery}