How did such a person get appointed? – Kwasi Pratt on Kumasi Mayor

Managing Editor of the Insight, Kwasi Pratt Jr., has expressed shock at the utterances of the Mayor of Kumasi Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, to lash errant hawkers.

Kwasi Pratt questions what went into the decision to appoint him as Mayor for the one of the biggest cities in Ghana.

Mr Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, had issued a stern two-week ultimatum to traders operating illegally on pavements and roadsides in the Adum area, warning that failure to comply would result in harsh penalties, including public lashings.

Addressing the press in Kumasi on Monday, April 14, Mr. Boadi announced that starting Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) will commence a rigorous decongestion operation to restore order within the city’s central business district.

He emphasised 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 boss explained that previous methods, such as confiscating goods and making arrests, have not yielded lasting results, as traders frequently return to the same unauthorised spots.

Following public backlash, the Mayor backtracked on his threat of corporal punishment in an interview with TV3.

“Other people have suggested jail terms instead of corporal punishment. So, I want to adopt that approach and see how it works. If they want to be in prison or on remand for a month or two, we will do that instead of meting out instant punishment. We will take them to court, but I will make sure they spend time in prison,” Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi stated.

Commenting on this matter on Metro TV. Kwasi Pratt Jnr said “For me, the most important question is: how did such a person get appointed as the Metropolitan Chief Executive for Kumasi? How did he get appointed, and who interviewed him?

“That is the critical question for me. From the way he is talking, if you sit down with him for five minutes, it should be possible to discern what his orientation is. But he was interviewed, he went through the system, and got approval to become the Metropolitan Chief Executive of one of the biggest cities in Ghana.

“This is the shock. The shock is not so much about what he said, but how he got to that position. Something is seriously wrong with the system of appointment. I am completely scandalised by the kind of statements he is making.

“I think I would be even more scandalised if, after this display, he is still at post. If, after this display, he is still at post, it would be a huge statement about the appointing authorities and those who choose to leave him there. This would not be tolerated anywhere.”

Source: 3news.com