The Mayor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, has issued a strong warning to traders operating on pavements and roads in the Central Business District, demanding that they vacate these unauthorized areas within two weeks.
Addressing the media at a press conference on Monday, April 14, 2025, Mr. Boadi expressed deep concern over the persistent congestion caused by street trading in the heart of the city.
He indicated that previous enforcement efforts, including the confiscation of goods and arrests, had proven ineffective, prompting the need for more decisive action.
“I have a unique leadership approach, and I intend to enforce it,” the Mayor stated. “When we instruct traders to leave, and they refuse, we will take direct measures to clear the space.”
Mr. Boadi warned that non-compliant traders could face physical force during upcoming enforcement operations. “In the middle of Adum, if I’m alone, you may be fortunate. But if I’m with my team—ten officers in a pick-up truck—we will act swiftly and firmly,” he said.
The Mayor emphasized that the decongestion exercise is part of broader efforts to restore order and preserve the image of Kumasi, which he referred to as “Otumfuo’s city” and the “garden city of West Africa.”
He urged traders to voluntarily vacate the pavements and roadways to avoid confrontations and reiterated that his actions should not be viewed as excessive, but rather as necessary measures to maintain discipline and protect the city’s integrity.
“If you make my job difficult, I will ensure you feel the weight of that difficulty,” he warned.
Mr. Boadi concluded by appealing for public cooperation, stating that his goal is to create a more organized and accessible urban environment for all residents and visitors to Kumasi.
