The Minister explained that the new road corridor significantly reduces traffic pressure at Suame, making a revised interchange design more appropriate.

“The Kumasi Outer Ring Road offers an even more appropriate connection from the N10 at Akom to the N6 at Boankra and shortens travel time between the northern and southern parts of the country,” the Minister said.

He added that most long-distance traffic would bypass the city centre once the project is completed.

The Minister rejected suggestions that the redesign would worsen traffic congestion, stating that the modification must be considered together with additional road works, including the rehabilitation of the Abusuakuruwa–Akom stretch.

“This is not being done in isolation,” he emphasised.

He maintained that the revised design, combined with new road investments, would “more comprehensively deal with traffic challenges” across the greater Kumasi metropolis.

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The deceased, believed to be in his late 20s, was reportedly mutilated in the gory accident.

According to an eyewitness, the trailer, with registration GT-1963-13, ran over the man after a hook on the vehicle trapped the okada rider, who was riding beside the long vehicle, leaving him pinned under the truck.

Some residents, speaking to Adom News, said the area has seen dozens of accidents, attributing the incidents to ongoing road construction.

“This is not the first time; we have seen dozens of accidents here, but this time we were not lucky. A soul is gone,” an eyewitness said. “The ongoing construction work has made the road very difficult to ply, causing accidents. We hope they complete the work soon to prevent further tragedies.”

Meanwhile, police have reported to the scene and conveyed the body to the morgue for identification.

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The victim, an ‘okada’ rider believed to be in his 20s, was killed instantly when a heavy-duty trailer fully loaded with soya beans ran over him.

The force of the impact was so severe that the victim’s body was mutilated, leaving residents and onlookers in a state of shock.

According to an eyewitness at the scene, the fatal sequence began when the motorcycle was travelling alongside the long vehicle, a trailer with registration number GT-1963-13.

In a freak mechanical occurrence, a hook on the side of the trailer reportedly snagged the rider, dragging him beneath the wheels of the truck.

Local police arrived shortly after to find a gruesome scene.

The yet-to-be-identified deceased was eventually conveyed to the mortuary for preservation and identification.

The tragedy has reignited a debate over safety standards at the ongoing Suame 4-Tier Interchange construction sites.

Residents who rushed to the scene were quick to point out that the narrow, dusty, and uneven diversions have turned the Suame-Maakro stretch into a hazard for motorists, particularly those on two wheels.

In emotional interviews with OTEC News, locals lamented that this was merely the latest in a series of near-misses and collisions that have plagued the area since the roadwork intensified.

“This is not the first time we have seen dozens of accidents here, but this time around, we are not lucky; a soul is gone,” one distraught resident remarked. “The ongoing construction work has rendered the road very difficult to ply, causing accidents. We hope they complete the work soon to avoid these accidents.”

The accident comes just weeks after angry artisans and traders in the Suame enclave staged protests, blocking roads to demand immediate action on dust pollution and deteriorating road surfaces.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) had previously promised to water the roads daily and speed up construction, but for many, these measures have come too late.

Road safety experts have warned that construction zones naturally increase the risk of accidents due to narrow pathways forcing large trailers and small motorcycles into dangerous proximity.

They also mentioned protruding equipment or “hooks” on vehicles, as seen in this incident, become lethal in tight spaces and loose gravel and uneven asphalt patches make motorcycles prone to skidding.

A vehicle owned by Rango Constructions, the company handling the Suame Interchange project, rammed into the wall, leading to the accident.

An eyewitness said the injuries were severe, with one victim fracturing his leg and the other sustaining serious injuries after being trapped under the wall.

The victims were rescued from the rubble and rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The incident has raised concerns about safety measures in place for construction projects in the area.

The victims are currently receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The victim, a driver’s assistant, had visited a mechanic shop to repair their vehicle when the incident occurred.

Eyewitness Kwame Appiah told Adom News that they suddenly heard a loud blast from a carbide cylinder. Rushing to the scene, they found the victim lying in a pool of blood with deep cuts on his head.

He was initially taken to the Tafo Government Hospital but was later transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further treatment.

“We haven’t experienced such an incident in Suame Magazine before, ever since I came here,” the eyewitness said, adding that the explosion happened in the absence of the shop owner.

“The man was waiting for his master and the shop owner to repair the fault they came with, but no one can tell how the carbide cylinder exploded to cause this harm,” he added.

The incident has since instilled fear among many artisans who rely on carbide cylinders for their work at Suame Magazine.

Source: Joseph Obeng

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According to him, names of the affected traders have been documented as the assembly prepares to provide them with some immediate support.

Speaking to Adom News during his visit to the fire scene, the MCE noted access routes will be created to ease movement in the various markets in the municipality to prevent future occurrence of fire.

“Per the report I have, over 200 shops were affected, so the assembly is in consultation to meet the traders to provide them with aid,” said Mr. Owusu Ansah.

The Ashanti Region Fire Commander, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) II Peter Tetteh, speaking to Adom News, said they have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.

“The fire service in the region has intensified its education on fire safety in various markets, which these traders in the Anomagye Junction market will testify to,” he said.

He suggested that having fire posts in various markets would help to fight fires.

The inferno reportedly started in the midnight of Tuesday and tore through the market, razing properties and various items sold at the market which could run into millions of cedis.

According to eyewitnesses, gas cylinders kept at the market exploded and contributed to the rapid spread of the fire through the market.

The cause of the fire is yet to be established.

The traders watched helplessly as their shops and goods were consumed by the inferno.

Some nearby residents rushed to the scene and forcefully opened some shops to salvage items before the fire consumed them.

Traders and residents allege the firefighters reported to the scene late when several parts of the market had already been razed.

“We called for help earlier, but the fire service came late. By then, everything was gone,” one distraught eyewitness said.

No casualties have since been reported as the National Fire Service commences preliminary investigations into the cause of the fire.

According to the fire service, 25 out of 44 shops at the market have been affected while 192 sheds have been destroyed by the inferno.

At least 25 shops, and 34 vehicles including 17 saloon cars, 9 minibuses, 8 heavy trucks, and a pickup were destroyed by the blazing fire on Friday night.

The affected shops specialized in battery servicing, welding, spraying, lubrication services, lathe machine operations, and other related activities.

Public Relations Officer of the Fire Service in Ashanti, D.O. II Peter Addai explains the fire was instigated by a spark from a service pole in the area after power was restored following an outage.

“There was light off around that area in the evening of Friday. When the light came back, there was some sparks in the service pole which is close to a workshop. When the spark fell on the shop and it started the fire and spread to other portions of that area,” he told David Akuetteh on Luv FM.

The fire then spread to other shops on the stretch due to the highly combustible products like oils flowing on the bare ground in the area.

“When the fire got to the shop, it burnt and the oil crossed the street to other vehicles and shops that were there and they also caught fire,” he said.

Only 15 fire tenders in 43 districts of Ashanti region

The region has in recent times seen fire incidents in its major markets including the Kejetia market, Asafo market, and Kwadaso wood market.

A 3-year-old was reported dead in a fire incident at Dagomba line, a suburb of the Asawase constituency.

The incidents to the 183 fire cases recorded in the region so far in 2025.

Meanwhile, the fire department is bemoaning the inadequate logistics to execute their duties as firefighters.

The Ashanti region currently has only 15 fire tenders working effectively in the 43 districts of the region.

According to him, he considered his age as a challenge for the position which requires enough strength to move around the country for campaigning.

“I would not say it was a rejection but looking at my age, it would not be the best to be appointed a running mate and after eight years I would have less energy to continue as a leader of the party,” he told Nana Kwadwo Jantuah on Nhyira Fm’s Kroyimu Nsem show

The Suame MP intimated that his resolve to avoid the running mate position was based on the fact that the NPP had equally qualified men who best fit that portfolio.

He described the choice of Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh as running mate as the best decision because he has the energy and requisite knowledge to help the party break the eight.

“My age wouldn’t permit me for the running mate bid but NAPO is young and best fit for the job. This running mate thing requires a lot of energy and competence to help the flagbearer, and NAPO can perfectly do the job,” he said.

The Suame legislator enjoined Ghanaians to recognize the vision of the NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as different from that of President Akufo-Addo.

“Every President has a unique vision before coming into office. Although Bawumia has worked with Nana Addo, he will have his own way of doing things, so his vision is different from that of the President. This is why he has promised to continue some of the works of the President and make changes to those he thinks doesn’t align with his vision,” said Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

The “charismatic MP made a grand entrance in Suame, a key industrial and commercial hub in Kumasi, thus, significantly boosting the morale of the party’s supporters.”

“The electrifying presence of Mr Agyapong is positive for the party’s quest to win the December 7 polls, as he addressed the enthusiastic crowd gathered in Suame,” it said.

Mr. Agyapong set the stage for Dr. Bawumia to engage the people with his optimistic message, with his usual fiery oratory and vitality.

The NPP flagbearer warmly welcomed Mr. Agyapong to the campaign tour, underscoring the importance of unity within the party to achieve the common goal of winning the 2024 election.

He emphasized his plans to continue fostering economic growth, enhancing technological infrastructure, and creating job opportunities in the Ashanti Region and across the country.

“As a testament to their camaraderie and shared vision, Dr Bawumia extended an invitation to Mr Agyapong to visit Suame Magazine, the largest industrial area in Kumasi, known for its vibrant auto repairs and engineering businesses,”the release said.

The visit aimed to underscore the party’s commitment to supporting local industries and small businesses.

“The appearance of both Dr Bawumia and Mr Agyapong in Suame has undoubtedly galvanised support among the party’s supporters and sympathisers, setting a positive tone for the ongoing campaign,” it said.

“The duo coming together to campaign after they competed for the party’s flagbearership slot has exemplified the collaborative spirit within the Elephant family and their collective ambition to drive Ghana towards a brighter future.”

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The Suame constituency is currently occupied by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

The long-serving MP has however openly declared that he will not re-contest in 2024.

John Darko is said to be in pole position to win the primaries and to ultimately win the Suame seat in December 2024.

Mr. Darko is an indigene of Breman, a town within the Suame constituency where grew up.

He contested in the 2016 parliamentary primaries and placed third.

However, he was not allowed to contest the primaries in 2020 as the incumbent MP was allowed to go unopposed.

The NPP opened nominations for the constituencies where it has sitting members of Parliament (MPs) on Wednesday, 20th December, and it is expected to close on Monday, 25th December 2023.

John Darko picked up his forms on 21st December and, within 24 hours has completed and submitted them.

About the aspirant

He holds an LL.M in Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources from the University of Houston Law Centre, Texas, where was a recipient of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) and Rocky Mountains Minerals Law Foundation Scholarships.

He obtained his qualifying certificate in law (QCL) from Ghana School of Law, Accra-Ghana between September 2007 and October 2009, and an LLB from the University of Ghana, between September 2005 to May 2007, and BA in Political Science from September 1999 to May 2003

John Darko, who is a partner at Darko, Keli-Delataa, and Co. has been a natural resources and environmental lawyer with 13 years’ experience cutting across commercial, advisory, academia, and consultancy settings, and delivering success on projects worth several millions of US dollars.

He also has a strong understanding of laws governing Ghana’s energy, land, and natural resources sector.

John Darko has also demonstrated exceptional leadership and integrity as a board member of six government and private organizations across the oil and gas, insurance, finance, and education industries, including Ghana Gas Company Limited.

According to the police, the said Youth Organiser of the NDC in the region in a viral video is seen instigating the party members against members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He, thus, incited the NDC members to attack their counterparts in the NPP in the run-up to the 2024 general election.

The police in a statement said, “The Ashanti Regional Police Command has initiated steps to get this person arrested to face justice. Meanwhile, we would like to take this opportunity to urge political actors to be circumspect in their utterances and actions as we work together to safeguard the peace and security of our beloved country.”

Read below the Police’s statement:

POLICE STATEMENT ON VIRAL VIDEO INCITING POLITICAL VIOLENCE AHEAD OF THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS

The attention of the Police Service has been drawn to a viral video in which a person who identifies himself as the Youth Organiser for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Suame Constituency of the Ashanti Region calls on supporters of the NDC to attack persons of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the run-up to the 2024 General Elections.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has initiated steps to get this person arrested to face justice.

Meanwhile, we would like to take this opportunity to urge political actors to be circumspect in their utterances and actions as we work together to safeguard the peace and security of our beloved country.

The man, yet-to-be-identified, was found hanging with a sponge tied against an iron rod today, Thursday, August 18, 2022.

The Assembly Member for the area, Michael Adu Poku, said a travelling bag was found beside him.

Judging from the scene, Mr Poku suspects the man was travelling but was killed by his assassins and hanged in the uncompleted building.

A Ghana card found in his bag, the Assembly Member said, bore the name Benjamin Kwadwo Asenso.

The body has been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue for preservation and identification.

Police at Afrancho have commenced investigations into the incident.

The leaders in a press statement on Friday noted that the unfortunate incident on Monday was an “act of spontaneity by a group of people” and the “leaders had no hand in it.”

“As leaders we take full responsibility for what happened and wish to say the youth were wrong and should be condemned in no uncertain terms,” portions of the statement read.

According to the leaders, although residents are frustrated about the poor nature of the road, the manner in which they expressed their displeasure is “unrepresentative of the genuine people of Suame Magazine.”

The apology comes at the backdrop of a demand for an apology by the NPP Ashanti Regional Members of Parliament on Thursday.

Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Caucus in Parliament, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi who spoke on behalf of the other MPs condemned the actions of Suame residents.

“We highly condemn this act. I am not sure Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has been given resources that he had to use within the region which has not been used,” he said.

Mr. Anyimadu Antwi also urged the residents to exercise restraint as they lobby the government to fix the roads.

Below is the full statement

Background

On Monday, some angry residents of Suame booed the MP, over the poor road network in the area.

The MP visited the Constituency to inspect the progress of work on various development projects.

His vehicle was also pelted with sachet water and other items such as coconut husk.

It however took the timely intervention of the Police to whisk him to safety.

The Majority Leader gave the assurance when he was speaking in an interview on Top Story, Monday.

According to him, the contractor constructing the road has given his word in that regard.

“He [contractor] told me as I said, that he is going to start the overlay in three days. It is a dual carriageway. He has just started one side, after he finishes that one side, he will then have to move to the other side of the carriageway. I am looking at the maximum one and half or at latest two months, he should be able to finish that stretch of road,” he told Evans Mensah.

Construction of the road, which started three weeks ago, was suspended by the contractor midway due to a shortage of bitumen.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, however, said the contractor has returned to site and work will continue.

According to residents in the area, the poor road is not only hampering businesses in the industrial hub due to the dust it emits, but also threatening lives.

On Friday, the residents, who were agitated, staged a protest to express their displeasure against the Suame MP for failing to fix their roads.

Earlier today, the MP, who was in the area to inspect work done on the road, was booed by residents over the poor road network in the area.

A vehicle of the MP for Suame, a constituency in the Ashanti Region, is reported to have been pelted with sachet water and other items such as coconut husk.

It took the timely intervention of the Police to whisk him to safety as the residents descended on him by throwing items his way.

In an interview with JoyNews, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu appreciated the concerns of the agitated residents: “They are not happy about the state of the roads, so if they see anybody in authority, definitely they will react this way,” he said.

“Last week, here at Suame Magazine, it was a major demonstration. It had to do with the refurbishment and the reconstruction of the main highway that is from Suame roundabout… the road had developed several potholes and it was causing some accidents and because of that, the Minister of Roads and Highways awarded a contract to a contractor to refurbish the road.

“In the meantime, there was massive dust on the roads which is a very busy road and the artisans were complaining that dust has taken over. Of course, they deal in spare parts – they are mechanics and when the dust settles on the parts, it makes them appear as old parts, so they are not able to sell at the prices that they have determined to sell. Apart from that, inhaling the dust was also causing sicknesses among them and that is what occasioned the demonstration,” he explained.

Information reaching JoyNews indicates that the deceased was attacked by a member of a weed-smoking group who held a grudge against him.

The suspect is alleged to have struck the neck of the deceased.

The atrocious crime occurred at the Suame Post Office on Wednesday evening.

The identities of both the deceased and the suspect are currently unknown.

A witness who narrated the incident to JoyNews’ Erastus Asare Donkor said; “The guy was just passing by. The guy who murdered the deceased called him asking why he failed to greet.”

“The deceased said he would not greet him. After the deceased said that, the suspect pushed him and took a knife from his pocket and sliced his throat.”

According to the witness, there was a confrontation between the suspect and the deceased recently before the incident.

Although Police made attempts to arrest the suspect, he managed to flee and is currently at large.

Meanwhile, sources at the Suame Police say the deceased’s remains have been conveyed to the morgue whilst another team is tracking the suspect.

Listen to the audio attached above:

A scavenger chanced on the baby when he went to gather refuse collected on the dumping site, and dragged it to shore in curiosity.

The content, which drew crowds to the place, was a dead baby wrapped in white bed sheets with a hospital drip syringe fastened to the arm of the baby.

A witness, Kobby Mensah, who narrated the scene to Pure FM’s Osei Kwadwo, revealed: “We heard the refuse collector shouting when he saw the lifeless body of the baby and we went there to witness the situation.”

According to him: “The refuse collector told us that he doesn’t know where exactly he picked the refuse which contains the lifeless body of the baby.

“He told us that, he went to one house to collect refuse but a certain lady told him not to touch her refuse but she directed him to go and collect the money in the house. Though he can’t say it was the lady who dumped the baby, he suspects her.”

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Meanwhile, the landlord of the Police House took the lifeless body of the baby to the police station to formally lodge a complaint

The scavenger has been invited by Suame Police Command to assist in their investigations to unravel who they described as the heartless woman who dumped the baby in a dustbin.