The Minority Caucus is demanding urgent action from the Minister for Local Government over what they describe as “reckless” and “dangerous” statements made by the Mayor of Kumasi.
Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi’s comment is in relation to an ongoing decongestion exercise in the Ashanti regional capital.
According to them, the Mayor’s open threats of physical violence and his self-described use of a “military-democratic” enforcement style amount to a breach of public trust and a potential violation of human rights.
“These remarks are not only reckless, but also risk undermining public confidence in local authorities and may expose the Assembly to potential human rights violations,” the statement signed by Bantama MP, Francis Asenso-Boakye, said.
The group says while they fully recognise the legal mandate of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to maintain public order and enforce bylaws under the Local Governance Act (Act 936), that authority does not permit the use of violence, threats, or fear.
“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 MPs asserted.
The Caucus is calling for immediate intervention by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development.
They want the Minister to “impress upon the Mayor the need to retract his comments and adopt a more lawful, respectful, and humane approach to enforcement.”
They are also urging the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to engage traders with empathy and dialogue, rather than treating them as public enemies.
“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,” the statement stressed.
The Minority Caucus says the Mayor’s comments have stirred deep concerns about the growing normalisation of heavy-handed governance at the local level.
“We remain committed, as a caucus, to promoting inclusive, accountable, and human-centred local governance in Ghana,” the statement said
The Minority insists that “clean and organised cities can and must be achieved through collaborative planning, education, and lawful enforcement, not intimidation and violence.”
They concluded with a passionate call for leadership based on the rule of law and the dignity of every Ghanaian.
“Let us all commit to building a country governed by the rule of law, compassion, and respect for the dignity of every Ghanaian.”
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