The Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, has defended his controversial statement regarding the use of corporal punishment against traders who violate the city’s ban on pavement trading.
This comes as the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly begins a two-week decongestion exercise on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, aimed at removing traders operating illegally on pavements and in unauthorized areas within the Central Business District.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Mayor Boadi maintained that his threat to flog defiant traders was a deliberate and necessary measure to restore discipline and order in the city.
“I don’t believe in relying on the police for decongestion because it’s costly, and eventually, things return to the same state,” he said.
“Some traders are even cooking and selling all sorts of food in the middle of the road. It’s unattractive, and I want to confront the issue head-on. Kumasi is engulfed in filth, and I am determined to deal with it decisively.”
He argued that traditional enforcement methods, including relying on the police, have proven ineffective over the years, and his direct approach would be more cost-effective and impactful.
Mayor Boadi added that the long-term goal is to transform Kumasi into a business-friendly city that attracts investment and supports growth, noting that a clean and well-organized urban environment is key to achieving that vision.
