Kumasi traffic set for major shake-up as NPP holds delegates conference at Baba Yara

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced sweeping traffic restrictions across central Kumasi ahead of the New Patriotic Party's National Delegates Conference and elections scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The measures aim to balance security and public safety with traffic management during what is expected to be one of Ghana's major political gatherings this year.

Roads and routes affected

Three main corridors feeding into the stadium will close entirely to vehicular traffic during the conference. These include the stretch from Bridginia Traffic Lights to Carvery Methodist Church, the road from Unity Oil Fuel Station to T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, and the segment from Is My Kitchen Restaurant back to Bridginia Traffic Lights.

Rather than creating gridlock, police have mapped out alternative routes for different traffic streams. Commercial vehicles from Amakom will be directed straight towards Asokwa, whilst traffic from Asafo will be diverted at Bridginia Traffic Lights toward either Asokwa or Amakom. Vehicles heading from Kumasi City Mall to Afful Nkwanta Junction will take a detour through Bulldog Restaurant.

The Ashanti Regional Police Public Affairs Unit Head, Superintendent Godwin Ahianyo, urged motorists and the public to plan journeys in advance and follow instructions from deployed officers. Compliance with diversions and road closure notices will be essential to avoid delays.

Parking zones and accreditation requirements

The Police have established a strict parking hierarchy to manage vehicle flow. Former Presidents and the NPP Presidential Candidate will have access to the dedicated VVIP Car Park. Members of Parliament, former MPs, MMDCEs and CEOs are assigned to the Scoreboard Parking Area. Regional delegates arriving by bus and National Party Executives will use Heroes Park, whilst official police vehicles will occupy the Hockey Pitch.

All vehicles and delegates must be properly accredited, with only authorised persons permitted entry to designated parking zones. Accreditation must be prominently displayed. The Police have warned that unauthorised parking or attempts to breach roadblocks will result in vehicle towing to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly yard at owners' expense, and enforcement personnel from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department will station themselves at strategic points throughout the event area.

Why it matters for Kumasi residents and businesses

For Kumasi residents and commuters, Saturday's conference represents a significant disruption to normal city movement. The scale of the NPP's delegates conference—drawing thousands of party members, supporters and security personnel—justifies the precautions, but the temporary closures will inevitably add travel time for those moving through or around the stadium precinct.

Businesses and service providers in the affected zones should prepare for altered customer access patterns. The Ashanti Region is Ghana's second-largest city by population, and concentrating traffic diversions around a major sports venue requires careful coordination. Residents heading to hospitals, markets or offices in the affected areas should leave extra time and consider using the published alternative routes in advance.

From a security perspective, the measures reflect lessons learned from previous large-scale political and public gatherings in Ghana. Controlled access points, accredited vehicle movement and managed parking reduce the risk of unwanted incidents and allow security personnel to focus resources effectively. The Police have committed to removing obstructions and enforcing parking rules strictly, signalling that the arrangements are non-negotiable.

The command has apologised for any inconvenience and called on the public to cooperate with officers to ensure the conference proceeds smoothly and securely.