The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development to urgently intervene and compel the Kumasi Mayor, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, to retract his threat to flog traders as part of a decongestion exercise.
In a statement signed by Ranking Member and MP for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Minority condemned the Mayor's comments, describing them as dangerous and undemocratic. "Violence, threats of physical abuse, and the use of fear as a governance tool are unacceptable in any form and have no place in a constitutional democracy like ours," the statement said.
It added: "The remarks made by the Mayor are not only reckless, but also risk undermining public confidence in local authorities and may expose the Assembly to potential human rights violations." While acknowledging the authority of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to enforce bylaws and ensure public order, the Caucus insisted such powers must be exercised lawfully and with full respect for human rights. "The goal of decongestion must not be pursued at the cost of livelihoods.
Traders are not adversaries-they are citizens contributing to the local economy under often difficult conditions," it stressed.
