By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has given all businesses and squatters along the Santase Roundabout–Asokwa Interchange road until October 31, 2025, to vacate the area or face the consequences.
The relocation will pave the way for the construction of a dual carriageway to improve traffic flow.
KMA Chief Executive Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi expressed hope that affected individuals and businesses would voluntarily leave to ensure a smooth start to the €17.5 million project.
Correspondent Nicholas Osei-Wusu reports that those affected have expressed readiness to relocate without resistance.
The Santase Roundabout–Asokwa Interchange stretch is one of the busiest roads in Kumasi. With two roundabouts at Ahodwo and Santase, and multiple bypasses, it connects commuters to and from Asokwa Municipality, Nhyiaeso Sub-Metro and Kwadaso Municipality, and links travellers from the Ashanti Region to the Central, Western, Western North and Bono regions.
It also forms part of the inner ring road network of Greater Kumasi, linking Oforikrom, Asokwa, Kwadaso and Suame municipalities to the Kumasi metropolis.
However, the road experiences severe congestion, particularly on Mondays, Fridays, and during rush hours, with journeys of five minutes often stretching to 45 minutes.
To address this, President John Mahama, during a recent visit to Japan, lobbied the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for support. JICA has committed to funding the four-kilometre dualisation project, expected to begin in April 2026.
According to the KMA Chief Executive, the project will replace the roundabouts with intersections fitted with modern, self-regulating traffic lights.
“We’re doing a dual carriage road and those areas are going to have intersections with technologically advanced traffic lights. The project is supposed to last 18 months to a maximum of 24 months, but because funds are available, we are confident it will be completed ahead of schedule,” he said.
The busy road is also home to many businesses, including traders, mobile money vendors, and mechanics. While some traders such as Mercy, a secondhand clothing dealer, said they are willing to relocate, others, including the Professional Drivers Taxi Union and local mechanics, have asked for relocation support and compensation.
In response, Mr. Agyemang Boadi stressed that the project is one of President Mahama’s legacy initiatives and should not face obstacles.
“We’re going to embark on this project to ease congestion and modernise Kumasi. If you go to Accra, you see how roads are developed and modernised. The President wants Kumasi to have the same,” he noted.
Officials from JICA are expected in Ghana soon to finalise the agreement and conduct a site visit. The contractor is scheduled to mobilise to the site by November this year.
