KMA Would Create Safe and Clean Environment -Sam Pyne Assures

Hon Samuel Pyne addressing the media after delivering his sessional address for the year, 2024 at the 9th General Assembly Meeting.

The Mayor for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Hon Samuel Pyne says his outfit was embarking on actions and programs that would make the metropolis a safe and clean one.

Addressing the 9th General Assembly meeting for the year 2024 last week, the Mayor stated that currently the general security ambiance of the metropolis had been relatively peaceful.

This, he noted had allowed residents and non-residents to carry out their routine activities in a serene environment. 

“We, therefore, commend the untiring efforts of our Metropolitan Security Council and security personnel” the Mayor stated.

Challenges:
The Mayor said, the challenge has been acts of misconduct, such as the disregard for and non-compliance with traffic rules and regulations by drivers,
 traders, and pedestrians, particularly in the Central Business District (CBD). 

He stated that nonetheless, the security liaison officers, the transport department with support from the operations officer and metro guards would continue to regulate activities in the Central Business District (CBD) to reduce congestion.
 
Lighting and Visibility:
Hon Pyne stated that from January 2023 to date, the Assembly had installed over 5,500 streetlights in the metropolis. 

These streetlights, he disclosed were provided by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, the Ministry of Energy, and some were procured by KMA itself.

“Additionally, the Assembly replaced underground cables at Duase, Bantama, the Suame roundabout – Sofoline, and the Golden Bean Area up to the RCC Area in a bid to improve visibility at night and improve security, resulting in a significant financial burden” Hon Pyne stressed.

Solar power installations:
Significantly, the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Energy, awarded a contract in January 2024 for the installation of all-in-one solar streetlights in the Manhyia North and South Sub- metropolitan areas, the Mayor stated.

“The Contractors were presently on-site undertaking decommissioning works to commence the installation of the solar-powered streetlights”, the Mayor  illumination.

Fire Safety and Prevention:
The metropolis has not been spared from fires, the Mayor mentioned 

These occurred at the French-line Section of the Kumasi Central Market, the Race Course Market, in homes, and at public places. Unfortunately, properties worth millions of Ghana Cedis were destroyed. 

“The Metropolitan Fire Command is actively conducting preventive education at various markets, lorry terminals, and other public places to diminish the occurrences and this is yielding significant result” Hon Pyne hinted.
   
Sanitation:
On Sanitation, the Mayor said the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly project (GKMA) seeks to increase access to improved sanitation and improved water supply in Greater Kumasi, with emphasis on low-income communities, and to strengthen the management of environmental sanitation in the Greater
Kumasi Metropolitan Area.

He said in this direction, the Assembly was benefitting from the construction of household toilets under 70% expansion of pipe borne water to low-income communities.

Way forward:
On the way forward, the Kumasi Mayor said strategies and programmes mapped out for 2024 would be the maximization of IGF collection through full digitization.

“The Assembly would also ensure the proper planning and regulation of physical development as well as creating a safe and smart city to attract prospective investments” ,Hon Pyne stated.