Kwesi Pratt Jnr, the Managing Editor of Insight Newspaper, has raised serious concerns about the selection process for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Ghana. His comments were prompted by a controversial statement made by Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, the CEO of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).
Boadi recently sparked public outrage by threatening to use force against street vendors in Kumasi’s central commercial area. He suggested a “military-democratic” approach to managing street vending, warning vendors to vacate the sidewalks or face physical punishment from assembly guards. He emphasized the need to preserve the city’s dignity, calling it “Otumfuo’s city, the Garden City of West Africa.”
During a press conference on April 14, 2025, Boadi stated, “If you want to make my job difficult, I will make your body feel the difficulty you’re causing me.”
The mayor’s remarks have drawn significant criticism, with many labeling them as reckless and inappropriate. Kwesi Pratt, speaking on Metro TV, expressed his shock at the Mayor’s statements and questioned the process through which Boadi was appointed to his position.
Pratt remarked, “How did such a person get appointed as the Metropolitan Chief Executive for Kumasi? If, after this display, he is still at post, it would reflect poorly on the appointing authorities.”
Following a vehement public backlash, the Mayor retracted his threat of corporal punishment in a subsequent interview with TV3. Instead, he proposed jail terms for non-compliant vendors as a more lawful alternative. Boadi stated, “We will take them to court, but I will ensure they spend time in prison,” suggesting this method might be more effective than immediate physical punishment.
The unfolding controversy has sparked a broader conversation about the effectiveness and integrity of the appointment process for key municipal positions in Ghana.
Source: https://www.ghanaweb.com
