The Kwahu West Municipal Assembly on Monday, June 9, 2025, began a large-scale decongestion operation at the town centre, trading zones, and market areas.
The exercise follows three weeks of intensive public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement.
The municipality, once admired for its beauty and vibrancy, has in recent years struggled with the proliferation of illegal structures and unauthorised trading activities, particularly along pavements and major streets. This issue has been a top priority for the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Nkawkaw, Hon. Halidu Tamimu, since taking office.
Determined to restore order, the MCE personally led and supervised the operation, which commenced at 4:00 a.m. It began with a briefing session and the deployment of a multi-agency task force comprising officers from the Ghana Police Service, Municipal Guards, Immigration Service, the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD), the National Ambulance Service, the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), and the Ghana National Fire Service.
In response to doubts from some hawkers and residents who believe the operation will be short-lived, the MCE and stakeholders have assured the public that this is not a temporary measure. They have developed a sustainable decongestion strategy alongside a daily maintenance plan to ensure lasting results. The exercise is expected to continue for several months without interruption.
So far, the initiative has received strong support from traders, who see it as a step toward restoring order and improving business conditions. Officials have emphasised that the exercise is not intended to target or victimize any group but aims to promote good sanitation, ease traffic congestion, clear public spaces, and enhance safety.
Additionally, the operation is intended to foster a cleaner, more orderly urban environment by reducing noise and air pollution, making services more accessible, boosting productivity, and enhancing the overall appeal of the city.
