Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana and Policy Analyst, Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, has criticised Kumasi Mayor’s approach in dealing with traders who operate illegally on pavements and roadside in the Adum area in Kumasi.
The mayor, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi during a press conference on April 14, issued a stern warning to traders who sell on pavements within the central business district of Kumasi, saying person found guilty will be beaten by officials of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).
Speaking in an interview on TV3 New Day’s Big Issue, April 16, 2025, Dr. Zaato said the mayor by his action is abusing his office.
“What you’ve seen that politician doing is hooliganism on steroids, that is the textbook definition of abuse of power. You’re in office for less than I don’t know how long but he’s in way in over it. He’s showing signs of frustration and he’s showing signs that he does not have the skills and ability to deal with this complex situation,” he stated.
Dr. Zaato further condemned the statement by the mayor, noting that his approach to beat traders on the streets of Kumasi will be an abuse of the rights of such persons.
He argued that the right approach is for the mayor to guide his actions under the purview of the law and not obliterate the law.
“I refuse to condone when people blatantly say they will beat people, they will abuse the law. I completely disagree with people who blatantly say that they will undermine the police by beating people on the street. I refuse to agree with public managers, with bureaucrats who say that they will undermine the judiciary.
“That’s why we have the law. Do it under the law. What the man is saying is impunity under the law,” he said.
Dr. Zaato added: “Are you saying the Police does not have power to discipline the people? Are you saying the Judiciary does not have power to discipline the people? Don’t tell me you are going to beat people and undermine the fundamental human rights of people.”
Meanwhile, Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi has said the threat to lash the traders will not happen because of compliance with the directive.
According to him, traders operating illegally on pavements and roadsides in the Adum area have started heeding the warning to vacate the pavements.
“I believe we won’t get there because some of them have started complying,” he said on Joy News on Tuesday, April 15.
