Newly confirmed Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, has issued a stern caution to traders occupying pavements and road medians within the city’s bustling Central Business District.
His message is clear: the era of unchecked trading in unauthorized spaces is coming to an end.
Speaking shortly after his confirmation on Thursday, April 10, Mr. Boadi outlined his vision for a cleaner, more orderly Kumasi.
“Kumasi should expect cooperation, discipline. There is a lot of indiscipline in our metropolis. In all humility, I am going to ensure strict compliance with the Assembly to the by-law that manages our city. If you are selling on the pavement, adjust yourself,” he said.
He warned that traders stationed in the middle of roads, particularly those in the heart of the city, will be cleared starting Wednesday.
“If you are in the middle of any dual carriageway road, especially within the central business district, please get out of the place. Because from Wednesday, we will get on the street and make sure that we clear Kumasi from all the filth that we see,” he stressed.
While hinting at a forthcoming decongestion drive, Mr. Boadi reassured the public that the operation would not involve the use of military personnel. Instead, he proposed a more collaborative approach.
“With the decongestion, we will not apply the forces of military men. Everybody wants to sell at Adum, so we will find some ingenious way to keep them in Adum and decongest Adum,” he added.
Touching on the progress of the Kejetia Market phase two project, Mr. Boadi acknowledged public concerns about the pace of work and the general lack of activity on site. He disclosed that discussions are ongoing to address the issues.
“With the Kejetia phase two, the contractors are on site, the energy that we are expecting to see is not what we are seeing.
“The regional minister has been working on it for some time. I will get a briefing from him on whatever has transpired. I believe that by the end of President Mahama’s tenure, the Kejetia market will be ready,” he assured.
