NPP communications director condemns Kumasi Mayor’s flogging threat, demands apology and upholding of constitution:
The Ashanti Regional Communication Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Paul Kwabena Yandoh, has strongly criticized Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi (alias King Zuba) for publicly threatening to flog traders who defy his directive to vacate pavements in the Kumasi Central Business District (CBD).
Yandoh urged the Mayor to retract his comment, apologize to Ghanaians, and commit to upholding the Constitution and his oath of office. He described King Zuba’s threat as disturbing, unethical, unconstitutional, and contrary to democratic governance, human dignity, and the rule of law.
In a press release on Wednesday, April 16th, Yandoh emphasized that Ghana is a constitutional democracy governed by laws, not the whims of individuals. He stated that the “era of military brutality” is over, and law enforcement must respect citizens’ dignity.
Yandoh pointed out that the Mayor’s threat violates multiple provisions of the 1992 Constitution, including articles protecting human dignity, freedom of movement, and the right to fair exercise of discretionary power.
While condemning the threat of violence, Yandoh acknowledged the challenges posed by pavement trading, including urban safety, pedestrian movement, and sanitation issues. He agreed that the KMA has a legitimate need to enforce its by-laws to restore order and protect public infrastructure.
However, Yandoh insisted that enforcement must be lawful, respectful, and empathetic, involving education and alternative solutions for traders, such as designated trading zones.
The Ashanti Regional Communication Directorate has called on the Minister for Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development to address the matter publicly, issue directives to all MMDCEs regarding ethical and lawful conduct, and reinforce a zero-tolerance policy against abuse of power within local government structures. He stressed that the enforcement of laws must not come at the expense of basic human dignity.
