By Alex Ababio
KUMASI, Ghana – President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi as the new Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), signaling a new chapter for a city grappling with infrastructural decay, transport chaos, and sanitation woes.
Boadi’s nomination, officially pending endorsement from the General Assembly, marks a strategic move by the government to inject new energy into local governance in the Ashanti Region. If approved, Boadi would succeed Sam Pyne, taking over the reins of Ghana’s second-largest metropolis.
Speaking to Ghanaian Watch, political editor Isaac Nsiah Foster remarked:
> “This is a critical moment for Kumasi. The people are not looking for another ceremonial leader—they want results. Boadi must hit the ground running.”
A City Steeped in History, Stalled in Development
Kumasi, the historic capital of the Ashanti Kingdom, has long been recognized as Ghana’s cultural heartbeat. Once praised for its organized layout under British colonial rule in the early 20th century, the city was originally designed to serve a population of around 100,000.
Today, Kumasi is home to over 3.6 million people, according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, with daily commercial activity attracting nearly 500,000 more from adjoining districts.
Despite its historic and economic significance, the metropolis has faced increasing difficulty keeping up with modern urban demands. Roads remain congested, sanitation deteriorates daily, and the transport sector is riddled with inefficiencies.
Sanitation Crisis and Market Congestion
The Central Business District (CBD), particularly areas like Adum, Kejetia, and Dr. Mensah, continues to wrestle with uncollected waste, unauthorized street vending, and chronic traffic congestion.
“You can’t breathe in Kejetia without catching a whiff of garbage,” said Ama Serwaa, a trader near the Kejetia terminal. “We were promised a cleaner city, but it’s only gotten worse.”
The Kejetia Market Redevelopment Project, which began in 2015, remains incomplete, with the second phase dragging beyond timelines despite numerous government assurances.
“The market is the lifeline of Kumasi. Without finishing it, we’re kneecapping our own economy,” said urban planning expert Dr. Kwaku Amoah of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in an exclusive interview.
Security and Transport Woes
Security remains another thorny issue. In 2024 alone, there were over 1,200 reported petty crime incidents within Kumasi’s CBD, according to the Ashanti Regional Police Command.
Transport, too, is in disarray. The much-touted tricycle ban within the CBD has done little to improve traffic flow. With poorly enforced transport regulations and inadequate terminals, the city’s arteries remain clogged.
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Expert Opinions: What Must Change
In an interview with Dr. Patience Owusu, a governance analyst with the Center for Urban Development, she said:
> “Kumasi’s leadership has always lacked continuity. Each new mayor starts from scratch. What Kumasi needs is a long-term urban development plan that is protected from political changes.”
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Political Insight: Isaac Nsiah Foster Weighs In
Isaac Nsiah Foster, the Political Editor of Ghanaian Watch, believes that Boadi’s experience as former Obuasi MCE under the NDC administration gives him the political maturity needed for the Kumasi job.
> “Boadi has seen both sides of governance—opposition and administration,” said Nsiah Foster. “He understands the political terrain and knows how to navigate the bureaucracy.”
Foster added:“
The residents of Kumasi are tired of rhetoric. What they want now are cleaner streets, better roads, safer markets, and real decongestion strategies that work.”
Looking Ahead: What Boadi Must Tackle
If confirmed, Boadi’s top priorities will likely include:
Fast-tracking the Kejetia Market Phase II completion
Launching a realistic decongestion and sanitation plan
Revamping transport infrastructure and enforcing order
Improving community security and policing collaboration
Residents, urban planners, and political observers are united in one view: Kumasi deserves better. And Richard Boadi, if endorsed, has an uphill but critical job to do.
“This city is the soul of the Ashanti Kingdom,” said Foster. “Reviving Kumasi is not just a political duty—it’s a historical obligation.”
FACT FILE: Kumasi in Numbers
Population (2021): 3.6 million
Estimated Daily Influx (Trade/Transport): 500,000
Market Traders (Kejetia): Over 20,000
Solid Waste Generated Daily: 1,500 tons
Reported Crime Incidents (2024): 1,200+ in the CBD