Kumasi Mayor Issues Ultimatum to Pavement Traders, Warns of Strict Enforcement

The Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, has issued a stern two-week ultimatum to traders operating on pavements within the city’s central business district, warning them to vacate the area by Wednesday, April 16, 2024—or face strict punitive measures.

As part of an upcoming decongestion exercise spearheaded by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), the mayor announced that persistent violators could face harsh consequences, including public lashing, if they continue to defy the city’s pavement trading ban.

At a press conference held on Monday, April 14, the mayor expressed frustration over repeated non-compliance with city regulations. He criticized traders who, despite previous enforcement efforts—such as arrests and confiscation of goods—continue to return to unauthorized trading spots.

“These acts of indiscipline are contributing significantly to congestion in the city,” Mayor Boadi said. “This is Otumfuo’s city—this is the Garden City of West Africa—and we must preserve its order and dignity.”

Describing his leadership style as a mix of “military and democratic principles,” he emphasized that enforcement would be firm and immediate. “If you’re told to vacate the space and you refuse, and my team arrives to find you still operating there, we will take action right then and there,” he warned. “If I’m with my boys, and you defy the order, expect to feel the consequences.”

The mayor urged traders to comply voluntarily to avoid confrontations, stating that the ultimate goal is to restore order and enhance the city’s image.