The Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene has directed the Sekyere South District Assembly to move swiftly against encroachment at the Agona Lorry Terminal, warning that illegal structures and trading activities on roads and pavements are undermining public safety and traffic flow.
The Minister issued the directive during a working visit to the district on Wednesday, as part of his regional tour to inspect projects being executed under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s “Reset Ghana” agenda.
*Agona Lorry Terminal Under Siege from Encroachers*
Dr. Amoakohene, accompanied by district officials and assembly members, observed that pedestrian walkways and sections of the roadway at the Agona Lorry Terminal have been overtaken by unauthorized structures and street trading.
“This encroachment on roads and pavements at the Agona Lorry Terminal is a major problem confronting us here,” he told a gathering of officials, traders, and residents. “These spaces were planned for movement, for safety, for order. When we allow them to be blocked, we create congestion, we create accidents, and we expose commuters to danger.”
The Regional Minister stressed that the integrity of road infrastructure must be protected if the government’s investments in transport and urban development are to yield results. He charged the District Assembly’s Physical Planning and Works Departments to collaborate with the task force to reclaim all encroached areas and ensure compliance with building regulations going forward.
“We cannot build roads and pavements with public funds only to watch them disappear under illegal structures,” he said. “The Assembly must enforce the law without fear or favour.”
*Street Lighting Deficit Threatens Night Security*
Beyond encroachment, Dr. Amoakohene addressed another pressing concern raised by residents: the absence of street lights in several parts of Agona. Community members told the Minister that dark streets have increased the risk of accidents and criminal activity after dark.
Responding to the complaints, the Minister placed responsibility on local representatives to act.
“Hon. Assembly Members, street lighting in your electoral areas is part of your core duty,” he stated. “If you cannot resolve the issue of street lights, then the District Chief Executive must step in and fix it. A community that is dark at night cannot be a safe or productive community.”
He urged the Sekyere South District Assembly to prioritize street lighting in its next budget cycle, noting that well-lit streets are essential for security, extended business hours, and the overall wellbeing of residents.
*GETFund Interventions Konadu Yiadom SHS
As part of the inspection, Dr. Amoakohene announced that Konadu Yiadom Senior High School have been selected as beneficiaries of this year’s GETFund infrastructure projects. He disclosed that his office will conduct physical inspections of the projects to monitor quality and progress.
“Education is central to the ‘Reset Ghana’ agenda,” the Minister said. “These GETFund projects at Konadu Yiadom Senior High School are intended to improve classrooms, dormitories, and other facilities so our students and teachers can teach and learn in a better environment. We will inspect them to ensure contractors deliver value for money.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding educational infrastructure, upgrading urban roads, and strengthening decentralization across the Ashanti Region.
*Call for Collective Responsibility*
Concluding his tour, Dr. Amoakohene called on district authorities, assembly members, traditional leaders, and citizens to take ownership of public assets and development projects.
“Development is not the work of government alone,” he said. “It requires all of us to protect infrastructure, obey planning laws, and hold leaders accountable. When we do that, the impact of government projects will be felt by every Ghanaian.”
The Regional Minister’s visit to Sekyere South forms part of a broader tour of districts in the region to assess the state of projects and address pressing local concerns.
