Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, has criticized several heads of local assemblies within his jurisdiction, accusing them of mismanaging a project initiated by the Regional Co-ordinating Council.

The project aimed to clean and enhance the aesthetics of road medians in the region.

Mensah expressed his disappointment with the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), attributing their lackadaisical and indifferent attitudes as the primary reason for the abrupt discontinuation of the Ashanti project. The initiative had commenced five years ago but was halted due to the negligence of the MMDCEs.

The concerned minister voiced his concerns during a meeting with the MMDCEs in the Ashanti Region.

“I say with some regret that this project was originally launched in 2018 but was stalled due to the lackadaisical and uncaring attitudes of MMDCEs in the piloted areas. This time it should not fail,” he said.

Some 5,000 Royal Palm trees are expected to be planted in medians of the city’s ceremonial routes while sand and weeds will be cleared.

“These tree seedlings are being caged to prevent destruction by animals and pedestrians. The medians and road shoulders are also being cleared of sand and weeds that have accumulated over the period,” said the Minister.

The Sustainable Cleaning, Greening and Beautification project is being implemented in collaboration with Zoomlion Company Limited.