Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene has intervened to stop the establishment of a lorry terminal at the Blue Light Arena in Adum, following a fire that destroyed the area a week ago.
Despite an earlier order from the Kumasi Traditional Council to halt construction, a visit to the site revealed that the terminal was nearly completed.
“We realized that the new station coming up under the footbridge, it shouldn’t happen. I engaged the person who has taken over the space and told him to halt whatever is happening there,” the Minister stated.
He further instructed the police and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to clear the area immediately.
The fire disaster affected three buildings occupied by traders, as well as several makeshift structures. Though police have cordoned off the site, some individuals have attempted to return and reoccupy the space.
Dr. Amoakohene has directed law enforcement agencies to prevent traders from returning until a structural integrity assessment is finalized.
“Those buildings have so much damage to the extent that if we don’t take steps now and intervene and allow people to go there, it may collapse and may give us additional problems on our hands,” he warned.
The Minister confirmed that a structural integrity test has been conducted, and its report is ready for review.
He plans to discuss the findings with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) on Thursday to implement key recommendations.
Meanwhile, affected traders have been urged to remain patient as they await a decision from the Asantehene regarding the future of the land.
