By Erica Apeatua Addo
Tarkwa (W/R), Nov 28, GNA-The Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly (TNMA) in the Western Region has decongested parts of Tarkwa township to improve traffic flow and ensure safety.
The decongestion covered areas from the Pentecost hospital through the Tarkwa main station and parts of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa first gate along the Tarkwa-Takoradi highway.
The exercise led by the Assembly in partnership with the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Prisons Service, Immigration Service, and the municipal assembly guards removed traders, beggars, and unauthorized structures blocking pavements and road shoulders.
During the exercise, Mr. Alex Damtey, Municipal Environmental Health Officer said, the Takoradi-Bogoso road was a major highway, but hawkers had taken over the space.
He said some had parked their vehicles permanently, while others were using half of the road for sales, and they realized it was not helping as accidents kept occurring.
“We also discovered that some foreigners have made camps in certain areas, disturbing the public”.
According to him, when the assembly decided to clear the area, they had multiple engagements with the traders and even gave them several opportunities to leave voluntarily, but they did not.
He said it was because of that they used all available means to forcibly remove them adding that the land located around the UMaT first gate was someone’s property and if they allowed the people to stay there it would affect the sanitation system
“After this process, we will meet the landowners to prevent this mess from happening again” he explained.
Mr Damtey added, “We have noticed some market stalls are empty because everyone prefers selling on the roadside. We will relocate all these traders to those markets”.
Superintendent of Police Eric Akwaboa, Municipal Police Commander, Tarkwa said, after the exercise, security personnels and the Municipal Assembly guards would be around to prevent anyone from returning to the area.
“If the guards are not able to manage the situation well and people return, another decongestion exercise will be organized.
“We permitted people to remove their goods, but next time, no one will be allowed, we will confiscate them” he stressed.
Superintendent Kweku Lindsay, the Municipal Immigration Commander pointed out that, foreigners could stay in Ghana, but they had to do so legally, either to work, visit or to explore business opportunities.
He revealed that some foreigners had entered the country and were involved in illegal activities like begging, prostitution, and drug peddling, adding, ” This issue was identified in the municipality, and my office also received many reports from various groups”.
“We did our checks, and it came out that they have established a camp with makeshift or temporary structures and were living opposite the UMaT Basic School”
They cook and defecate in the same area, leaving the place very unkempt and unhygienic for everyone” said the Immigration commander
Superintendent Lindsay said it was why the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) initiated the action to make the environment uncomfortable for them to stop begging on their streets and causing discomfort for the residents.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga/George-Ramsey Benamba