Adum, which is regarded as the Central Business District (CBD) of the Kumasi metropolis, and directly located in the heart of the metropolis, is now developing into an attractive tourist area, due to the numerous commercial activities and edifices that are springing up.
Almost all the dwarf and antiquated structures bequeathed to the business community by the colonialists are now giving way to mighty high-rise structures in all parts of Adum.
From the electricity company main headquarters building at the Prempeh II Street, down to the Unicorn House area, through the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Street along the Railway Company road to the Asafo Interchange area, structures are springing up by the day.
Another attraction to Adum is the magnificent Court of Appeal structure that sprang up from the former old circuit courts popularly called ‘nnuam courts’ which was inaugurated about four months ago.
All the structures, which are adding to the beauty of Adum, are either three-storey buildings or higher.
Almost every parcel of land previously used by commercial transport owners for passengers to board and disembark have now been swallowed up and are being used for the construction of either a supermarket or something else.
These include the Ghana Railway stretch of land opposite the Unicorn House, which was laden with containers and kiosks that created massive human traffic from dawn to dusk on each working day.
Their architectural designs, paintings and furnishing alone, act as a magnet to attract residents who live at the outskirts of the Kumasi metropolis and its environs into Adum throughout the week.
Even on Saturdays when social activities such as funerals and weddings ought to engage many residents and divert their attention from brisk business, Adum still has a fair share of the patronage and therefore, comes alive with commercial activities.
At the moment, Adum has become the one-stop shopping centre in Kumasi, as customers who throng Adum in their numbers are sure to get any product of their choice to buy at moderate prices.
The strategic location of Adum is also gradually attracting radio stations.
Mention can be made of Kessben FM, which was among the first radio stations to operate in Adum a few years ago, just at the time that Hello FM also got attracted to the business opportunities of the CBD .
At present Solid and BOSS FM stations have also established their bases and operate from Adum, and with their vibrancy and attractiveness to the public, indications are that other radio stations will consider pitching camp at Adum to take advantage of the brisk commercial activities there in order to maximise their profits and if possible expand their operations.
With commercial activities in the area now on the upsurge, financial institutions are also fast extending their operations to Adum.
It is, therefore, not for nothing that the Ghana Commercial Bank, Ecobank Ghana, Unibank, Stanchart, UBA, Intercontinental, Prudential, NIB, and Stanbic banks, among others, have all started operations or opened more than one branch at Adum.
It is for the same reason that supermarkets of all sizes, which deal in a variety of products also operate and do business at the CBD of the metropolis.
Residents are, therefore, attracted to Adum not because of the products they can obtain at moderate prices but also to do window-shopping and sometimes for adventure as well.
This is because Adum is not the only main centre of attraction for business operators but also enjoys massive attention by both the private and public sectors so far as business and other social activities are concerned.
Apart from the presence of the overbearing police institution which provides adequate protection and security to the business community at Adum, the courts are also directly located at Adum and are ready to enforce the laws and take drastic action against deviants when necessary.
The Kumasi Central Prisons is also located directly adjacent to the Kumasi Central Police Station, and, as if by accident or design, has also opened its jaws very wide, ready to snap and swallow anyone convicted by the courts for one offence or the another.
With the business community in the Kumasi metropolis feeling adequately secure in terms of business transactions and profit margins, as well as feeling reasonably protected by the law enforcement agencies, it is natural for them to mass up at Adum in their numbers on a daily basis to compete for space to ply their trade.
It is, therefore, a matter of fact that Adum will continue to be the home of businesses of all categories and any efforts by the metropolitan assembly to reduce the influx will hit the rocks.
The only antidote to reduce the congestion at Adum is for the metropolitan assembly to create conducive business attractions at the various satellite markets similar to Adum.
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