KMA embarks on decongestion exercise

Kumasi, March 27, GNA - Street vendors and hawkers operating in the Central Business District (CBD) of Kumasi Metropolis woke up on Tuesday morning to realize the full determination of authorities of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to eject them from the pavements and walkways.
A combined team of the police, military and KMA city guards led by Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, on Monday night began a massive decongestion exercise to rid the metropolis of unauthorized structures on the streets and pavements.
The three-day exercise was announced by the assembly last year and was supposed to begin on January 15, this year but was postponed. Madam Appiagyei, in an interview with newsmen said a monitoring team had been instituted to ensure the affected people did not return to the streets and pavements.
She warned that anyone found operating on the streets and pavements would be arrested and prosecuted.
Madam Appiagyei said the assembly was determined to ensure compliance of its by-laws and regulations, and the exercise would be undertaken in all parts of the metropolis and called for support from the residents to ensure its success. On a visit to the area, the Ghana News Agency saw some of the affected people had gathered and were discussing the issue and brooding over their predicament.
Some of them told the GNA that they were aware of the exercise but did not have any place to operate. 27 March 07

Kumasi, March 27, GNA - Street vendors and hawkers operating in the Central Business District (CBD) of Kumasi Metropolis woke up on Tuesday morning to realize the full determination of authorities of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to eject them from the pavements and walkways.
A combined team of the police, military and KMA city guards led by Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, on Monday night began a massive decongestion exercise to rid the metropolis of unauthorized structures on the streets and pavements.
The three-day exercise was announced by the assembly last year and was supposed to begin on January 15, this year but was postponed. Madam Appiagyei, in an interview with newsmen said a monitoring team had been instituted to ensure the affected people did not return to the streets and pavements.
She warned that anyone found operating on the streets and pavements would be arrested and prosecuted.
Madam Appiagyei said the assembly was determined to ensure compliance of its by-laws and regulations, and the exercise would be undertaken in all parts of the metropolis and called for support from the residents to ensure its success. On a visit to the area, the Ghana News Agency saw some of the affected people had gathered and were discussing the issue and brooding over their predicament.
Some of them told the GNA that they were aware of the exercise but did not have any place to operate. 27 March 07