The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) will require individuals and businesses seeking to erect containers and other temporary structures in the metropolis to obtain approved designs from the Assembly from January 2027.
Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, popularly known as King Zuba, says the measure forms part of efforts to improve the city’s appearance, promote orderliness and tackle unauthorised structures.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Boadi said the Assembly would no longer allow people to install containers using designs of their choice without first obtaining the required specifications.
“From January 2027, anyone who wants to erect a container or temporary structure in Kumasi must first obtain the approved design from the KMA’s Spatial or Physical Planning Department. You cannot simply engage a welder to construct any design you want,” he said.
He warned that structures erected without the required approval would be removed.
“We will remove any structure that does not comply with the approved specifications,” he added.
Mr Boadi said the standardised container design policy was being piloted around the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, with plans to extend it to other parts of the metropolis where the Assembly considers it necessary.
The initiative follows the Assembly’s demolition exercise on July 31 around the stadium enclave, where occupants of unauthorised structures were directed to vacate the area as part of efforts to improve sanitation, safety and the city’s general outlook.
The mayor said the policy would help create uniformity among commercial structures while ensuring that development across Kumasi follows approved planning standards.
Mr Boadi also announced plans to remove a number of billboards along selected stretches of the city as part of a broader decongestion and beautification exercise.
He cited the stretch from the KMA offices to Vienna, which he said is less than one kilometre long but has approximately 36 billboards.
According to him, the Assembly intends to remove about 28 of the billboards, leaving eight in place.
“The number of billboards along that stretch is excessive. Out of the approximately 36 billboards between the KMA and Vienna, we intend to remove about 28 and retain eight,” he said.
He encouraged businesses seeking to advertise in the city to consider digital billboards as an alternative.
Mr Boadi said the move was intended to reduce visual clutter and improve the appearance of public spaces as the Assembly intensifies efforts to decongest the metropolis.
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