Kumasi, March 27, GNA- Stores, stalls and shops in the main business centre, and the Kumasi central market were temporarily closed on Saturday morning in response to the call by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to residents in the metropolis and Asanteman to clean the city and its communities of filth.

The exercise formed part of the activities marking the Asanteman 'Adae-Kese' festival and the fifth anniversary of the enstoolment of Otumfuo Osei Tutu as the occupant of the Golden Stool.

The exercise would be carried out on every Saturday until the end of May, when the celebrations would come to an end.

Voluntary organisations, security agencies and other identifiable groups and organisations took part in the exercise.

Barima Asumadu Sakyi, Kumawuhene and chairman of the 'Adae-Kese' Planning Committee, who led the exercise in front of the Manhyia Palace, commended the residents in the metropolis for their response to the exercise.

He, however, expressed regret at the inability of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to provide trucks and other logistics to support the exercise and urged the residents to ensure healthy environment in the metropolis.

Among some of the paramount chiefs who took part in the exercise were the Offinsohene, Nana Wiafe Akenten and Tepahene, Nana Adusei Atwenewa Ampem.