By: Evans Osei-Bonsu
The Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi (King Zuba), has dismissed claims and speculations that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s (KMA) decision to remove traders and occupants around the Baba Yara Sports Stadium area is aimed at replacing them with new occupants affiliated with the government and the ruling party.
The Mayor in an interview with Kojo Sebor on Pure FM’s ‘Pure Morning Drive’ on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, described the allegations as baseless, insisting that the exercise is purely part of efforts to improve the aesthetics of the stadium area, restore order and transform Kumasi into a modern city befitting its status.
“I am not bringing new occupants to the new stadium structures; we should fear God and stop the speculation. We should fear God!”
Mr. Boadi said, warning that he could be compelled to reveal the names of influential individuals who approached him for some of the structures but were firmly turned down.
He insisted that the KMA has not benefited financially from the new structures and has not taken any money from the occupants who have complied with the Assembly’s directive.
“The KMA has not benefited from the new structures. The traders themselves were asked to put up these standard structures in compliance with our standard design that will give a beautiful facelift to the stadium area and Kumasi at large,” he stated.
According to him, only 14 persons have so far complied with the directive to mount the approved container designs, and all of them are previous occupants of the area.
“Only 14 people have complied so far, and that is the only number I will allow to mount these beautiful container designs around the stadium. We will not give room to anyone again,” he stressed.
King Zuba maintained that no new persons have been introduced into the area, dismissing claims that the structures are being allocated to persons linked to the government or the governing party.
“All the 14 occupants who have come up now are all previous occupants of the area. There is no new occupant from anywhere, and the KMA has not taken any money from them,” he added.
The Mayor further disclosed that the Assembly intends to extend the standardised container design policy to other parts of Kumasi where similar structures have been erected, as part of a broader city beautification programme.
“We will extend this standard to other parts of Kumasi where container structures have been mounted as and when we get there and deem it necessary to beautify the city,” he said.
He also announced that from 2027, any individual or organisation seeking to mount a container structure within Kumasi will be required to obtain an approved standard design from the KMA before construction begins.
“From 2027, anyone who wants to mount a container in Kumasi must obtain a standard design from KMA,” Mr. Boadi stated.
The comments come amid the Assembly’s planned decongestion exercise around the Baba Yara Sports Stadium enclave, where occupants of unauthorised structures have been directed to vacate the area as part of measures to improve sanitation, safety and the general outlook of the city.
The Mayor has also announced that a wider decongestion exercise will commence at Alabar on August 17, 2026, as part of efforts to address congestion and improve urban management in one of Kumasi’s busiest commercial areas.
King Zuba said the various interventions form part of his administration’s broader vision to develop Kumasi into a cleaner, safer and more organised metropolis worthy of its name and historical significance.
Source: Purefmonlinegh.com || Evans Osei-Bonsu || 2026
