I won’t tolerate roadside trading – Minister

The Ashanti regional minister Hon. Simon Osei Mensah has vowed not to tolerate the selling of goods on any street, including all forecourts, roads, footways and other areas next to streets in the Kumasi Metropolis.

According to the former Bosomtwe lawmaker, the pavements of various dangerous and risky streets are currently being turned into markets and trading points which puts lives of these traders in danger.

“I will not wait for the unexpected or disaster to occur before finding solutions to them,” Mr Mensah stated.

He noted the Kejetia redevelopment project as a major contributor to the increase in roadside trading activities.

The minister conceded that most traders as a result of the project have no choice than to relocate to pavements to sell their goods but added it is not reason enough to allow them operate by the roadside.

Hon. Osei Mensah cited the Suame roundabout and the forecourt of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital as one of these points where traders cannot be allowed to sell.

“I know there is a problem with our market system due to the construction of various satellite markets, but we can’t allow traders to operate at unapproved places,” he stressed.

He however urged traders who sell at such places to join colleagues at the Nana Afia Kobi (Abinkyi) market as the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) continues with final works at the Race Course market for their relocation.

Hon. Simon Osei Mensah thereafter lauded the Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi for the efforts being put in place to finish up with final works on the construction of various markets in the Kumasi metropolis.