The Mayor of Kumasi may face a significant test this week, as traders in the Dr Mensah locality threaten to return to the streets following their eviction.

The vendors were removed from the streets on Tuesday to allow the Manhyia Palace to use the ceremonial streets.

Traders arrived on Tuesday morning to find the streets they occupy crowded with security personnel from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

Many of the traders were still standing around with their stuff, waiting for the streets to reopen.

“Whenever we go to Race Course we lose our capital. I don't have anywhere to go until the Central Market is built. They say we should go and die. They don't care about us”, Adwoa Animah, one of the traders speaking to Luv News.

City guards have been stationed in the Dr Mensah neighborhood to prevent traders from taking their items into the streets.

The KMA has pledged to continue its efforts by reserving space at the Racecourse Market for hawkers, but the traders are resolute.

The filth in the streets and gutters is being removed.

Vegetable sellers have long used the space along these filthy drainages as a trading location, raising food safety issues.

Some traders remain adamant about leaving the streets.

A similar exercise last year could not be sustained as the traders returned immediately after the Asantehene used the ceremonial streets.