Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, the mayor of Kumasi, has defended his divisive comments regarding the use of corporal punishment against vendors who disobey the city’s pavement trading ordinance.
A two-week decongestion campaign that would target vendors working on pavements and in unapproved areas within Kumasi’s Central Business District was previously announced by the mayor. The exercise would start on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Mayor Boadi defended his threat to flog dissident traders on Eyewitness News on Citi FM with Umaru Sanda Amadu, saying it was an essential measure to impose discipline and restore order.
“I will spend a lot of money on the police, and then we will return to the status quo, so I don’t think we should use them to decongest,” he stated.
“I want to address it directly because those in the middle of the road, some of whom are cooking and selling a variety of food, are not appealing.
“There is a lot of filth in Kumasi, and I want to address it directly.”
However, he would not say whether President John Dramani Mahama approved of his choice.
“Let’s concentrate on the final product; we won’t reach that stage.”
He maintained that his direct approach would be more economical and effective than more conventional enforcement strategies, such as depending on the police, which have been shown to be ineffectual over time.
A clean and orderly urban environment is essential to realising the long-term objective of turning Kumasi into a business-friendly city that draws investment and fosters growth, Mayor Boadi continued.