The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has restricted the ongoing prefabricated container project around the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to 14 traders who have complied with its approved design, following allegations of financial interest against the Kumasi Mayor.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Richard Kwasi Ofori Boadi Agyemang, popularly known as “King Zuba”, said no additional traders will be allowed to return to the area, regardless of whether they adopt the new container design.
Addressing a special meeting of the KMA General Assembly at the Prempeh Assembly Hall, Mr. Boadi dismissed claims circulating on social media that he has a personal financial interest in the production or supply of the prefabricated structures.
“Let me state clearly that I have no involvement in the sale, production, or supply of these containers. These allegations are false and they have caused me pain. I will not do anything to jeopardize the trust the people have in me,” he said.
The controversy follows the July 31 demolition exercise carried out by a joint security taskforce led by the KMA around the Baba Yara Sports Stadium enclave.
The Assembly said the exercise was aimed at removing unauthorised structures, improving sanitation, restoring order and enhancing the outlook of the area.
However, barely four days after the demolition, construction workers were seen laying foundations for new prefabricated stalls at some sections of the cleared area, sparking public concerns and questions from affected traders.
Some traders who returned to the area said the new structures were in line with directives issued by the Mayor before the demolition and praised the Assembly for introducing a more organised arrangement.
Currently, 14 traders have re-erected their containers using the approved design.
However, some food vendors have raised concerns about the new structures, citing possible fire and security risks, while others have accused the Mayor of benefiting financially from the project and overpricing the containers.
Responding to the allegations, Mr. Boadi said the project was initiated by the traders themselves, who engaged their own contractor to construct the structures based on the Assembly’s approved design.
“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.
He explained that the KMA only facilitated discussions after traders raised concerns about the initial cost of the structures, which resulted in the contractor offering a bulk discount.
The Mayor also denied claims that the demolition and rebuilding exercise was intended to replace existing traders with persons affiliated with the government or the ruling party.
Mr. Boadi maintained that the contract was not awarded by the KMA and insisted that he had no role in the payment arrangements between traders and the contractor.
He said restricting the project to the 14 compliant traders was necessary to maintain transparency, accountability and avoid any possible conflict of interest.
“If they are accusing me of something I know nothing about, then let me be clear: only the 14 traders who have complied with the Assembly’s directive to acquire the approved prefabricated stores will be permitted to return to the designated area,” he said.
“No additional trader will be allowed to occupy the area, regardless of whether they are ready to follow the directive or not.”
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