Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly demolishes structures for Suame Interchange

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has launched a significant demolition exercise at Abrepo Junction to clear the right-of-way for the construction of the Suame Interchange. This operation, which began early in the morning, is being conducted by a coordinated team of KMA task force members and military personnel to ensure the area is secured for engineering works. The Suame Interchange is a vital infrastructure project intended to address the long-standing issue of heavy traffic congestion in the Suame area and across Kumasi's major arterial roads. As excavators moved into the junction to dismantle unauthorized structures and temporary stalls, several traders were observed dismantling their own booths and extracting their merchandise to avoid total loss. The scene was one of active movement as individuals attempted to relocate before the heavy machinery reached their specific locations. According to KMA’s Transport Manager, Adu Larbi Sampson, the assembly took these steps to ensure that construction can proceed without further delays. He emphasized that the assembly is making efforts to minimize the destruction of property while maintaining the firm stance necessary to clear the land for the national project. Mr. Sampson further explained that the KMA had issued multiple prior notices to the occupants of these structures, providing them with sufficient time to voluntarily vacate the site. The current enforcement phase was initiated only after those warnings were not fully heeded by all parties involved. The assembly has maintained that the clearing of these rights-of-way is non-negotiable, as the technical specifications of the interchange require a clear and unobstructed site for the contractors to deploy equipment and begin structural work. The Suame Interchange project, once completed, is expected to transform the landscape of Kumasi and provide a more efficient route for both local commuters and transit vehicles. The KMA has indicated that the demolition operation will persist until all designated areas for the project's first phase are entirely cleared. This development marks a major milestone in the progression of the interchange, reflecting the government's commitment to improving urban infrastructure and fostering economic growth through enhanced mobility within the Ashanti Region.