Central Regional Minister inspects decongestion exercise in Cape Coast

Cape Coast, Oct.21, GNA- The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur on Friday toured Kotoka and Kotokuraba, the two main markets in Cape Coast to inspect the decongestion exercise which started about two weeks ago and expressed satisfaction about the level of work so far. The exercise which was carried out to give the municipality a facelift and clear it of all unauthorized structures especially in pedestrian ways and on drainages, had so far left 93the whole place clean=94, he declared.

Nana Arthur, who was accompanied by his special assistant, Mr. Ken Nunoo, Mr Ben Mensah, the municipal building inspector, and some municipal guards explained the essence of the exercise to the affected people.

He commended the guards for the good job done and stressed that the region prides itself as the 93tourism hub=94 of Ghana and must therefore live up to standards.

The Minister said he received complaints that there was partiality in the exercise and therefore wanted to know at first hand the grievances of the affected people, but it came out that people who are yet to have their containers and kiosks removed had pleaded that they would do so on their own by next weekend.

Nana Arthur said the forecourts of the Cape Coast castle would soon be awarded on contract to be developed into a car park while talks are underway with a private person to release a land near the Kotokuraba market to be developed into another car park under a private-public partnership venture to reduce traffic.

A few people interviewed said the exercise was very laudable and had not only rid the city of filth but also given the town a new outlook and commended the minister for it.

They pleaded that it should not be a nine-day wonder but be continued until the whole town becomes 93beautiful and befits its status as a tourism destination=94.