The Obuasi Municipal Assembly has begun relocating traders selling along the streets and transport operators loading goods and passengers in the Central Business District as part of efforts to decongest the city.

The exercise aims to ease both human and vehicular movements in the city.

The assembly had previously attempted to decongest the area, citing unauthorised trading and loading of goods and passengers along the streets as a major contributor to congestion.

The Assembly believes that evicting traders and transport operators from the streets will help ease congestion, restore order to commercial activities, and reduce waste generation.

Some traders and transport operators have welcomed this exercise, stating that it will help improve vehicular and human movement within the Central Business District.

The decongestion will go a long way to improve vehicular movement. We fully support the exercise,” a trader said.

“The initiative is a step in the right direction. Of course, some people will be affected, but it is a worthy cause,” added Gertrude Ampong, another trader.

Speaking to Citi News on Monday, September 29, some pedestrians said the exercise will ease traffic and human congestion in the city.

“We are pleased with the decongestion exercise; it will help ease traffic,” said Bismark Yeboah, a driver.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi, Faustilove Appiah Kannin, stated that the exercise aims to facilitate vehicular and human movement within the city.

Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi West, Faustilove Appiah Kannin

She also urged traders to use the newly constructed market at Kunka to ease the congestion in the central business district.

“The government has secured a bigger market for the traders, but it is some distance from the main market. We have been encouraging them to relocate there, yet many return to the central market after being moved.

“I am pleading with them to remain at the new market and leave the roads for motorists to work freely. They should put themselves in my position—what we need is cooperation.

“We will deploy police to ensure compliance. We are doing our best because the roads have become unmotorable, and we are working hard to ease congestion,” she said