The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has announced its readiness to begin the "forced removal" of containers and billboards along the Santasi roundabout to Asokwa interchange road stretch, commencing tomorrow, Wednesday, January 21, 2026. 

This exercise is a critical step in the city's plan to dualise the road, a project aimed at significantly reducing the traffic congestion that has long troubled commuters in the area.

In an official statement issued on January 12, 2026, the KMA directed all occupiers along the road stretch to vacate the reservation by January 20. 

Although that deadline has now elapsed, many traders remain on-site. 

In interviews with Kumasi FM’s Elisha Adarkwah on why they are still occupying the road stretch, some of the affected traders expressed frustration, claiming that the assembly had failed to fulfil a promise of compensation.

However, the Kumasi Mayor, Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi, also known as King Zuba, has firmly dismissed these claims, stating during an interview that the Assembly holds no compensation agreements with any of the occupiers. 

He emphasised that the forced removal of billboards and containers will proceed as scheduled tomorrow, and once those are cleared, the task force will address the car dealerships operating on the stretch.

While construction has already commenced at the Asokwa end of the project, the mayor urged the occupiers to cooperate with the city. 

Mr Boadi noted that traders in the Asokwa area had already been advised to consult the assembly for alternative trading sites. 

He further called on car dealers along the road to visit the KMA to secure new locations for their businesses before construction reaches their specific sections, warning that they will be moved when such happens.