The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has intensified its decongestion exercise ahead of the Asantehemaa’s one-week observation.

This move, according to the KMA, is part of its existing efforts to ease stress on commuters who visit the Central Business District.

KMA has been actively engaged in city-wide decongestion initiatives since May 2025, targeting areas like Adum, Kejetia, Pampaso, Dr Mensah, and Roman Hill.

These efforts aim to restore order, improve traffic flow, and enhance public safety in the Central Business District.

Key areas affected by this particular exercise include Kejetia Roundabout, Adehyeman, Adum, and the Dr Mensah enclave, where traders and unauthorized occupants have been asked to vacate.

During a visit by OTEC News to the Dr Mensah and Kejetia markets, street hawkers expressed mixed sentiments towards the intensive decongestion exercise on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

In an interaction with the affected traders, many expressed delight over the exercise, while others pleaded for a space to ply their trade after the one-week celebration.

However, Public Relations Officer for KMA, Afia Konadu, disclosed in an interview with OTEC News that although they began the exercise earlier this year, this particular decongestion exercise is geared towards ensuring smooth movement of guests who will join the Asantehene to observe the one-week celebration of the late Asantehemaa.

She noted that the decongestion of the city will not be resolved overnight but will persist even after the Asantehemaa’s funeral.

She humbly called for calm among traders, adding that the Assembly plans to fast-track the construction of new market spaces and relocate affected traders to designated areas.

In a related development, a massive clean-up exercise was held around the Manhyia Palace on August 16, 2025, ahead of the one-week observation of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.

This exercise involved various groups and aimed to ensure a clean and dignified environment for the occasion.