The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has expressed concern over what he describes as the rapid and unregulated conversion of residential neighbourhoods into commercial centres within his constituency.
Speaking on Luv FM, Mr Awuah warned that established residential areas such as Ashtown and Alabar are increasingly being transformed into business hubs, a trend he described as “proper decadence.”
He attributed the development to broader planning failures, arguing that such changes should only occur through formal rezoning processes. “It tells you that there is growth in business, but it also tells you that we are not planning as a country. It doesn’t happen anywhere that residential areas would become industrial areas unless there is rezoning,” he said.
The MP linked the issue to what he sees as longstanding neglect of the Ashanti Region, noting a decline in urban management standards in Kumasi. He suggested that local authorities lack the resources and focus needed to effectively manage development across key districts.
Mr Awuah warned that failure to act could fundamentally alter the character of Manhyia South, with only a few areas such as Dichemso, CPC and Krobo Odumase potentially retaining their residential identity. He also noted that areas like Ashanti Newtown are gradually evolving into market centres.
While acknowledging that increased commercial activity reflects economic growth, he cautioned that development without proper planning can be counterproductive. “Development is deliberate; you don’t leave it to happen on its own,” he stressed.
He further criticised local government and city authorities, accusing them of treating building permits primarily as revenue-generation tools rather than mechanisms for ensuring orderly urban development.
Calling for urgent intervention, Mr Awuah urged authorities to adopt innovative and cost-effective solutions to address the situation, warning that inaction could have lasting consequences for the structure and identity of communities in the constituency.
