A/R: We’ll lash traders who violate pavement trading ban

Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi has issued a two-week ultimatum to traders operating on pavements and roadsides within the city’s central business district, warning that those who defy the directives will face harsh penalties, including public lashings.

Addressing the press in Kumasi on Monday, April 14, Mr. Boadi announced that starting Wednesday, April 16, 2024, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) will commence a rigorous decongestion operation to restore order within the city’s central business district.

He emphasized that traders who continue to sell on pavements after the deadline will be dealt with severely.

“I have my own democratic military style, which I will be implementing. When we say leave this space and you don’t leave this space, and I get there, and you’re not lucky and my boys are with me, there and then, we will beat you,” the Mayor stated.

The KMA explained that previous methods—such as confiscating goods and making arrests—have not yielded lasting results, as traders frequently return to the same unauthorized spots.

According to the Mayor, this persistent disobedience contributes to congestion and tarnishes the image of Kumasi as the “Garden City of West Africa.”

Mr. Boadi did not shy away from expressing his readiness to use force if necessary. “In the middle of Adum, if I’m alone, you will be lucky, but if I’m with my ten boys, in their pick-up with their whips, trust me, we will beat you,” he said. “If you don’t want to experience that kind of situation, do what is right and lawful.”

He framed the crackdown as a matter of civic pride and responsibility. “This is Otumfuo’s city. We must preserve its beauty and order,” the Mayor declared, calling on traders to relocate peacefully to avoid the consequences.

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