“I Won’t Lash Anyone Again” – Kumasi Mayor Makes U-Turn on Trader Crackdown
After public backlash, Mayor Boadi pledges to use legal means instead of corporal punishment in enforcing city decongestion.
- Kumasi Mayor retracts threat to flog traders
- Backlash from the public and political figures prompted the Mayor to clarify his stance
- Boadi now emphasizes police involvement, court action, and confiscation
Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, popularly known as King Zuba, has walked back his controversial threat to flog traders who defy the city’s ban on pavement trading.
Amid growing public and political backlash — including strong reactions from members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) — the Mayor clarified that he has no intention of using corporal punishment and remains committed to respectful, lawful enforcement.
At a press conference on Monday, April 14, 2025, Boadi acknowledged the pressing sanitation issues plaguing Kumasi but stressed the importance of discipline without violence.
“I won’t lash anybody again,” he stated. “If I get hold of anyone, I will hand them to the police and arraign them before court.”
Previously, Boadi had issued a two-week ultimatum for traders to vacate unauthorized spots, warning of harsh consequences for non-compliance — including public flogging. This sparked widespread condemnation.
Now, the Mayor says he will rely on legal avenues such as arrests, court summons, and confiscation of goods to carry out the ongoing decongestion efforts. He admitted that past strategies haven’t yielded desired results but insists his approach will remain within legal bounds.
Despite the controversy, Boadi reaffirmed his vision of a cleaner, more organized Kumasi that attracts business and investment, calling on the public and authorities to support his mission.
