Kumasi Mayor Defends Controversial Move to Flog Traders in Decongestion Push
Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi stands firm on his controversial decision to enforce discipline, aiming to transform Kumasi into a cleaner, more business-friendly city
- Mayor Boadi defends using corporal punishment to enforce the ban
- A two-week decongestion exercise begins April 16, 2025
- Boadi stresses long-term goal of making Kumasi a cleaner
The Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, has stood firm on his controversial stance of using corporal punishment against traders defying the city’s pavement trading ban.
Speaking in an interview, Mayor Boadi clarified his earlier comments about initiating a two-week decongestion exercise starting April 16, 2025, targeting traders in unauthorized areas within Kumasi’s Central Business District.
Boadi justified the move, emphasizing the need to restore order and discipline in the city.
He expressed his skepticism toward relying on the police, stating that past attempts have been costly and ineffective, leading to a return to the previous state of disorder.
“The filth in Kumasi is overwhelming, and I intend to tackle it head-on,” Boadi said, referencing the traders who occupy roadsides, often cooking and selling food in unsanitary conditions.
When asked if his decision had been approved by President John Dramani Mahama, Boadi declined to comment, preferring to focus on the desired outcome of a cleaner, more organized Kumasi.
The Mayor stressed that his direct approach was necessary to transform Kumasi into a business-friendly city, creating a conducive environment for investment and growth.
