Authorities at the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region have declared a renewed and relentless crackdown on what they describe as growing indiscipline in the municipality’s physical and spatial planning space.
Officials have warned that firm action will be taken against individuals who indiscriminately put up structures in unauthorized areas, particularly along waterways.
The Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly has recently embarked on demolition exercises as part of efforts to sanitize the municipality and send a strong signal to individuals intending to build in unauthorized locations.
Speaking in an interview with Citi News, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Asokore Mampong, Ben Abdallah Alhassan, cautioned residents to immediately halt such developments or face strict sanctions, including the demolition of affected structures.
He emphasized that there are clear guidelines in the laws of Ghana on how land should be acquired and how structures should be put up, and that these procedures must be strictly adhered to by the public and residents.
“At every opportunity we get, we try to sensitize the public on the need to always get in touch with the Assembly to know where to properly acquire land and to confirm whether such land falls within the approved planning scheme of the Assembly. We also encourage prospective developers to visit the Physical Planning Department for assistance in applying for development permits or planning approvals.
“Once an application is submitted, the Technical Subcommittee reviews it and makes recommendations to the Spatial Planning Committee. If the application meets the approved criteria, the permit is granted. The applicant then pays the required development fees and proceeds with development. This is a fight we are not going to relent on. We will continue to ensure discipline and order within our spatial planning space.”
Beyond spatial planning challenges, sanitation remains one of the major issues confronting the municipality.
Most communities are grappling with choked drains filled with empty plastic bottles and bags, a situation often attributed to some residents intentionally littering the environment.
The MCE revealed that the Assembly successfully prosecuted about 21 sanitation-related cases in 2025 as part of efforts to enforce cleanliness and public health standards.
Mr. Abdallah Alhassan also explained that the Assembly is adopting a dual approach of public education and strict enforcement of sanitation by-laws to address the situation.
He further said, “Gradually, we are getting the buy-in of the people. Anytime we go out to conduct sanitation exercises, there is a strong outpouring of support, with people turning up in large numbers to support the cause.A lot of sensitization and public education is also ongoing. Whenever I have the opportunity to engage the media, I ensure that I emphasize the need for a collective approach towards improved sanitation.
“We are combining education and sensitization with strict compliance and enforcement of our bylaws. As a result, several prosecutions are currently ongoing.”
He further disclosed that the Assembly is intensifying engagements with religious and traditional leaders to support public sensitization efforts and promote responsible behaviour among residents.