Stay off Adehyeman Gardens —REGSEC

Meanwhile, it has directed that a joint military and police task force be assigned to take charge of the site with immediate effect to avoid any acts of lawlessness in the vicinity. 

A statement signed by the Chairman of the REGSEC, Mr Eric Opoku, who is also the Ashanti Regional Minister, said the council had taken a very serious view of the matter because of its security implications for the region.

On February 16, the stores, stalls and kiosks of about 1,000 petty traders, mostly women, who plied their business at the Adehyeman Gardens, near Kejetia in the central business district (CBD) of Kumasi, were destroyed at the behest of Nana Osei Tutu.

The demolition exercise was allegedly supervised by personnel of the Buffalo Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

Setback

On the advice of the Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Kojo Bonsu, the traders began rebuilding their stalls and shops to restart their businesses but they suffered another setback when their structures were destroyed once again. 

The statement said it was the view of the REGSEC that such confrontations could lead to anarchy, hence the need for the task force.

It said the council would deal with any policeman found to have been involved in the demolition exercise without the express permission of his regional commander.

It appealed to both parties, particularly the affected traders, to remain calm and cooperate with the security agencies while efforts were made to restore peace and order.