The Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, has warned traders in the Adum market selling on pavements and roadsides to refrain from that or find themselves suffering corporal punishment.
Speaking during a press conference in Kumasi held on Monday, April 14, the newly appointed mayor of Ghana’s second largest city said as the custodian of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s city, he is going to do his very best to restore order to the city.
Boadi said traders have been ordered to cease selling on pavements effective immediately, and commencing Wednesday, April 16th, those who refuse to comply will face all sorts of punishments, including public beatings.
Boadi said he doesn’t believe arresting people and jailing them would work because more often than not, they find ways and means to get released and go back to their spots. He promised a much more direct means of punishment to serve as a strong deterrent.
“I don’t want the situation where we’ll arrest people, they’ll go to the police station and find their own means back to the street. That will be a waste of time,” the Kumasi mayor said. “I have my own democratic military style…when we say leave this place and you don’t leave this place…and I’m there with my ten boys and their whips, trust me, we’ll beat you.”
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Boadi said traders who do not want to suffer this consequence should adhere to his directive.
He added that Kumasi belongs to Otumfuo, and they have to ensure it meets its status as the ‘Garden City of West Africa’.
“This is the Asantehene’s city…we have to preserve its image. I am here to work to sanctify the city for Otumfuo,” he added.
Honourable Ofori-Agyeman Boadi was appointed the mayor of Kumasi by President John Dramani Mahama and had his appointment ratified by 55 of the 56 members of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly present at its special meeting on April 10, 2025.
