The Development Control Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Mr. Asare Bediako says it is the duty of the Metropolitan to oversee the day-to-day activities of Kejetia to make sure Kumasi becomes a free flowing city.

According to Mr. Bediako, strict measures have been put in place to confine market women from selling on the streets, a practice too rampant in Kumasi, which often leads to overcrowding and obstruction.

“Majority of the market women have decided not to move to their newly allocated places. They prefer to sell in the streets, which creates inconvenience for others.

"Our activity is not to decongest the place- we want to manage traffic in order to create a serene environment in town," he said

Congestions in the capital of the Ashanti Region mostly arise as a result of selling along principal streets due to traders perception of “first come first serve” which has led to many hugging the act and avoiding market premises.

The Operations Director of the Eleven Steering Member Committee of the Concerned Traders Association, Mr Kwabena Fosu earlier called on authorities to halt petty traders on the streets to encourage the patonage of goods at the market places in Kumasi.

He cautioned that if such activities are not ceased for the market women at racecourse to enjoy their stay with customers, the Concerned Traders Association would have no option than to encourage their members allocated to join the streets since others see it as an affordable way to get many clients and boost their capital.

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Speaking to SoireeNews during the KMA Traffic Management Exercise on Tuesday, February 26, 2020 at Kejetia, Mr. Bediako enlightened that people who sell on the streets and pedestrians who ply the wrong side of roads and streets are been educated on its vulnerabilities. He addressed that the style of approach is paying off due to the major reduction of the challenge since the initiative.

“Education is the first key in handling issues like this. When they are informed on the right thing, we believe they will understand.

“Secondly, it is our duty to guide them to avoid taking dangerous routes for their own safety. We have realised that the exercise is paying off since some of started doing the right thing.

“We have decided not to involve the Police due to panic. Sometimes they spy around to see whether there is a Police in uniform. When they find none, they prefer taking the shortcuts. We are not in uniforms so it makes it difficult for them to predict. It’s really helping us a lot,” he added.

The Presiding Member of KMA, Hon. Stephen Ofori also addressed that the exercise is part of the Assembly’s mandate to make sure there is no congestion in the city.

“Over the years, there has been a great challenge on how there can be a free flow city but then every attempt keeps collapsing. Since my appointment, I have observed that the ineffectiveness of our method is not about the pedestrians but the supervision.

“They seem to compromise every action therefore, we have taken a different method and it’s indeed paying off,” he said.