Ghana's Ashanti Region Tackles Crime, Roads, and Sanitation

Ghana's Ashanti Region is proving that coordinated government action can transform multiple challenges at once.

Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang recently received a comprehensive briefing from the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, led by Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene. The news was overwhelmingly positive: security, infrastructure, and public health are all moving in the right direction.

After a recent murder of a Kusasi Chief sparked security concerns, the Council acted quickly. They've registered motorbikes across the region to strengthen oversight and provided enhanced security for traditional leaders. The Vice President commended these efforts and acknowledged the support of Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II in promoting peace.

National Sanitation Day exercises have produced visible results. Major drains at Asokwa and Ahodwo have been desilted, improving drainage and clearing the way for road improvements. The work is already facilitating the dualisation of key roads throughout Kumasi.

Major infrastructure projects are reshaping the region's transportation network. The Kumasi to Sunyani Road, dualisation of Ahodwo and Santasi roundabouts, and the Outer Kumasi Ring Road are all underway. The Suame Interchange is being redesigned from a four-tier to a three-tier structure, which will reduce costs and minimize the number of buildings that need demolition.

The human element hasn't been forgotten. The Council is rehabilitating drug users and reintegrating them into society, including involving them in sanitation initiatives. This approach treats addiction as a solvable problem while addressing community cleanliness simultaneously.

Disaster management teams are working closely with market boards to respond to recent fires and emergencies. Construction of 24-hour markets is progressing with support from the District Assembly Common Fund, promising safer and more modern facilities for traders.

The Ripple Effect

These improvements extend far beyond just fixing roads or cleaning drains. Better infrastructure means easier movement of goods, which helps traders and farmers get products to market faster. Enhanced security allows traditional leaders to focus on community development rather than personal safety. Rehabilitated individuals become contributors rather than burdens to their communities.

The coordinated approach is what makes this work. By tackling security, sanitation, and infrastructure together rather than in isolation, the Council is creating a foundation for long-term stability and growth.

Vice President Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that this momentum must continue, with sustained collaboration and deeper community engagement remaining essential.