KMA condemns NPP Group’s call for dismissal of Kumasi Mayor

Officials of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) have come out to condemn an action taken by a group named, Concerned NPP Youth Traders Association in Kumasi demanding the dismissal of the Kumasi Mayor, Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi.

The group reportedly asked for his dismissal, suggesting he was incompetent as far as managing the city is concerned.

They accused the mayor of initiating an ongoing relocation exercise in the Central business District (CBD) without consulting members of the Assembly and stakeholders, making their businesses suffer in the process.

This move did not sit well with KMA members who have since described the call as an ill attempt to mar Mr. Antwi’s reputation and the Assembly.

In a release issued by the Assembly, all the aforementioned claims levelled against the Mayor were debunked and revealed that the judgement to work on the relocation exercise was not one-sided, contrary to the group’s claim.

“It must be noted that the decision by the KMA to embark on the relocation exercise was not unilaterally taken by Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi, the Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. It was a decision taken by the General Assembly to relocate the traders from the streets to enable the Contractor working on the Kejetia/Central Market Project to work on the road network improvement which is a key component of the on-going project,” it read.

“It was also to reduce the congestion at the Central Business District and ensure free flow of human and vehicular traffic. The relocation exercise was later endorsed by the Kumasi Traditional Council and the Ashanti Regional Security Council (RESEC) who see the exercise as a good venture for the image of the Kumasi city,” it further reveals.

The Assembly, however, said the relocation exercise will be continued until the desired results manifest.

“The Assembly would, therefore, ensure that the exercise is sustained and the needed impact achieved. Traders who are still transacting their businesses in the streets and pavements are therefore advised to relocate to Race Course or any other satellite markets within the city,” they wrote.

Below is the full release

RE- AGGRIEVED NPP TRADERS CALL FOR THE DISMISSAL OF KUMASI MAYOR

The attention of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has been drawn to a publication in the media by a group calling itself Concerned NPP Youth Traders Association, in the Central Business District, Ashanti Region with the caption “Aggrieved NPP Traders Call for the Dismissal of Kumasi Mayor”.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly however writes to condemn the action by the so called group since they do not have the development of Kumasi at heart.

It must be noted that the decision by the KMA to embark on the relocation exercise was not unilaterally taken by Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi, the Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. It was a decision taken by the General Assembly to relocate the traders from the streets to enable the Contractor working on the Kejetia/Central Market Project to work on the road network improvement which is a key component of the on-going project.

It was also to reduce the congestion at the Central Business District and ensure free flow of human and vehicular traffic. The relocation exercise was later endorsed by the Kumasi Traditional Council and the Ashanti Regional Security Council (RESEC) who see the exercise as a good venture for the image of the Kumasi city.

The call by the so called group on the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to dismiss the Kumasi Mayor with immediate effect is therefore uncalled for, unless this group sees nothing wrong with:

1. People trading on the streets instead of designated trading places at the Race Course, Nana Afia Kobi Market (Abinkyi), Adumanum etc.

2. The waste that is generated by the activities of traders and commuters on the streets and other public places not meant for trading.

It must be emphasised that Hon, Osei Assibey Antwi is not incompetent in managing the affairs of the city and carrying out the relocation exercise as the group sought to portray. He has achieved a lot since assuming office as the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

The group also accused Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi of not putting in proper measures in place before embarking on the relocation exercise. This is an indication that the concerns raised by the concerned youth is an orchestrated attempt to damage the image of the Kumasi Mayor since KMA took time to improve upon the facilities at Race Course before the relocation exercise. This includes the road network improvement, security lighting, sanitary facilities etc.

The Kumasi Mayor is not collapsing business of traders. He is rather creating the enabling environment for businesses to flourish within the metropolis. Upon assumption office he created Trade and Industry sub-committee all to help the business community in Kumasi. He is not an anti – NPP member as the group claimed. He is a faithful member of the party but he is only ensuring that the bye-laws of the Assembly are enforced.

It must therefore be noted that as an Assembly we are to serve the larger interest of the public, the shop owners, pedestrians, hawkers, transport operators as well as the general public.

The Assembly would therefore ensure that the exercise is sustained and the needed impact achieved. Traders who are still transacting their businesses in the streets and pavements are therefore advised to relocate to Race Course or any other satellite markets within the city.

KMA is grateful for those who have cooperated and still cooperating to achieve a clean and green Kumasi.

GODWIN OKUMAH NYAME

(PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER)

for: METRO CHIEF EXECUTIVE

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