The Mayor of Kumasi, Mr Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, has issued a stern two-week ultimatum to traders operating along pavements and roadsides within the central business district (CBD), warning that those who defy the directive to vacate will face sanctions, including the controversial threat of being beaten.

Addressing the media at a news conference in Kumasi on Monday, April 14, the Mayor declared that from Wednesday, April 16, 2024, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) will commence a decongestion operation to clear traders who have taken over pedestrian walkways and roadside spaces.

According to Mr Boadi, previous attempts by the KMA to reclaim the pavements—through arrests and confiscation of goods—have proven ineffective, as traders continue to return in defiance of the by-laws. He blamed these persistent acts of indiscipline for the worsening congestion and disorder in the metropolis.

“This is Otumfuo’s city, this is the garden city of West Africa, and we have to preserve it. If you want the job to be difficult for me, I will let your body feel the difficulty you are giving to me,” he cautioned.

The Mayor, who assumed office earlier this year, announced that his administration would adopt a new method of enforcement—one he described as a “military-democratic style.” While the term raised eyebrows, Mr Boadi explained that it combines law enforcement with forceful deterrence to ensure compliance.

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

“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. If you don’t want to experience that kind of situation, do what is right and lawful,” he added.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions in the city, with some residents supporting the move to restore order and pedestrian safety, while others have expressed concern over the threat of violence and potential human rights violations.

The KMA says it remains resolute in its mission to restore Kumasi’s status as a clean and orderly city, and insists that traders must cooperate or face the consequences.

The success of the upcoming decongestion exercise, however, may hinge on the Assembly's ability to strike a balance between enforcement and dignity.