By Edward Acquah
Accra, April 18, GNA – The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to “reassign” the Kumasi Mayor over his controversial remarks about “beating” traders who defied the Assembly’s directive on pavement selling.
The Party described Mr. Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi’s comments and approach to sanitising the Kumasi central business district as “inhumane” and “irresponsible,” deeming him unfit for the position.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong-Kumankumah, CPP Flagbearer in the 2024 Presidential Election, condemned the use of corporal punishment, stating it was unacceptable and not a solution.
She urged the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to adopt dialogue and engage stakeholders in its efforts to sanitise Kumasi’s streets.
“The welfare of humanity should be at the centre of every policy that we implement,” she said.
Nana Sarpong-Kumankumah suggested the KMA focus on creating employment opportunities for women and youth to reduce congestion caused by petty traders.
“Carrying things on the head and sitting on the scorching sun to sell is inhumane and shameful for this nation. It is the responsibility of the Government to create decent employment for the people. We have failed the people,” she said.
During a Monday press conference, Mr. Boadi announced plans to decongest Kumasi, giving traders along pavements and roadsides in the central business district a two-week deadline to cease operations.
He warned that defying the directive would result in severe sanctions, including threats of being beaten. His comments have faced widespread condemnation.
The CPP emphasized that decongesting Kumasi should begin with gathering data on traders, their backgrounds, and their activities.
The Party argued that such data would inform people-centred policies to sustainably address the issue.
“Cleaning Kumasi should be backed by data. We should know the number of people on streets and what they do. We cannot address the problem without proper planning backed by data,” Nana Sarpong-Kumankumah said.
GNA
KAS