–BY Grace Zigah
The tension between the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) in the Ashanti Regional capital street traders escalated on Sunday morning when a violent clash broke out at the Kejetia market.
The KMA Taskforce stormed the Kejetia streets, wielding a whip, and attempted to forcefully evict traders operating along the streets, leading to a heated confrontation.
The angry traders resisted the eviction attempt, resulting in a brief but intense standoff.
However, calm was eventually restored when other traders intervened to de-escalate the situation, allowing the task force to withdraw without further incident.
This confrontation follows a series of warnings and threats issued by Kumasi Mayor, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, who has come under heavy public scrutiny for his aggressive approach toward enforcing a ban on pavement trading in the city.
Earlier this month, Richard Boadi, popularly called King Zuba addressing the press on April 14, 2025, issued a stern two-week ultimatum to all traders occupying pavements and roadside spaces in Kumasi’s central business district, particularly around Adum.
He warned that any trader found in violation of the directive after the April 16 deadline would be subjected to harsh punishment, including public flogging.
“I have my own military-democratic style which I will be implementing,” the Mayor declared at the press conference.
“When we say leave the space and you don’t, and my boys and I find you there, you will be beaten.”
He added ominously that traders would not want to experience the consequences if they defied the new rules, further emphasizing the need to protect Kumasi’s image as the “Garden City of West Africa” and uphold the dignity of “Otumfuo’s city.”
The KMA’s decision to launch a decongestion exercise came amid growing concerns over public safety and severe traffic congestion caused by uncontrolled street trading.
The previous attempts to relocate the traders—such as arrests and goods confiscations—failed to deter traders from returning to unauthorized spaces.
Despite Mayor Boadi’s justification that the “military-democratic” approach blends enforcement with community engagement, his threats have drawn widespread condemnation.
Civil society groups, opposition MPs, and human rights organizations like Amnesty International have criticized the Mayor’s rhetoric as abusive and unbecoming of responsible leadership.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament denounced his comments, insisting that traders should not be treated as adversaries.
They urged the Mayor to adopt dialogue and humane engagement strategies rather than resorting to physical violence.
Even some members of the ruling class, including Kumasi’s former Mayor Sam Pyne, have publicly advised against the flogging approach, warning it could escalate tensions and tarnish Kumasi’s reputation internationally.
Nonetheless, Boadi has remained defiant, insisting that drastic measures are necessary to maintain order and protect the city’s public spaces for pedestrians and motorists alike.
He framed his campaign as a moral and civic duty to preserve Kumasi’s heritage.
