Traders, businesses to vacate Santasi roundabout for road project

Traders and business owners along the Santasi–Ahodwo stretch leading to the Santasi Roundabout in Kumasi have agreed to vacate the area following an evacuation notice issued by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).

On Wednesday, September 24, the Assembly directed all individuals and businesses operating along the Santasi–Ahodwo road to relocate by October 30, 2025. The move is to pave the way for the construction of a dual carriageway funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Those affected include car dealers, mechanics, taxi drivers, squatters, owners of temporary structures, and small business operators.

When Citi News visited the area on Thursday, September 26, several business owners acknowledged they were occupying the land temporarily and were aware of the road project.

Food vendor Ruth Acheampong said, “The construction of the road is not new to us. We have been waiting for it for some time now. We had an engagement with KMA last year where they mentioned that the matter would be revisited this September, but we only heard about the eviction notice in the news [on Wednesday].”

Another shop owner, Veronica Acquah, also noted, “We heard about the eviction notice in the news…although they engaged us somewhere last year. We have no objection because we are aware of the project.”

Amissah Emmanuel, who runs a pub at Dakodwom, added, “Even though I’m not happy about the eviction, it is important for the government to improve the road infrastructure.”

Some traders have appealed for compensation to ease their relocation. “We are pleading with the government to support us financially in order to make the relocation efforts easier,” Acheampong added.

But the KMA insists no compensation will be paid, stressing that the land is a government road reservation. The Assembly’s Public Relations Officer, Henrietta Afia Konadu Aboagye, explained: “So far, in the conversations we have had with JICA, there is no mention of compensation. This is because the place is a road reservation. KMA has not given anybody permit to stay in the road reservation.”