Newly appointed Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, has issued a two-week ultimatum to traders occupying pavements in the central business district to vacate or face forceful eviction.
The Mayor, who describes his approach as a “democratic military class,” says he will not hesitate to unleash his team on recalcitrant traders who refuse to comply with the directive.
At a press conference, Mr Agyemang Boadi expressed frustration over the inefficiency of involving the police in such operations, claiming that offenders often return to the streets shortly after being arrested.
“If you don’t [leave], there’s something we’re going to do, and that is where I need your support. As for me, I don’t like reporting too many things to the police,” he said.
“I don’t want a situation where we’ll put together a police team to arrest people, and then they go to the station, find their way out, and return to the streets. That will be a waste of time and resources for me.”
The Mayor further threatened physical force against defiant traders, saying he would personally lead an operation to clear them off the streets if necessary.
“So I have my own democratic military staff, which I’ll be implementing. When we say leave this space and you refuse, if I arrive alone, you may be lucky. But if I show up with my ten boys in their pickup with their canes, trust me, we’ll beat you,” he warned.
He stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness and order in Kumasi, often referred to as the Garden City of West Africa, to honour the Asantehene.
“This is the Garden City of West Africa. We have to preserve its image, and I am here to work to certify the city for Otumfuo. If you make my work difficult, I will let your body feel the difficulty you’re giving me,” he added.
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