NETRIGHT: Women’s rights group condemns Kumasi MCE over 'flogging traders' statement

The Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT) has condemned a statement made by the newly appointed Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, in which he threatened to flog traders who sell on pavements along the Kumasi Central Business District if they fail to vacate within two weeks.

NETRIGHT says it “condemns the barbaric statement in no uncertain terms” on the grounds that it represents a gross violation of human rights, an infringement on the right to human dignity, and a disregard for the rule of law.

The MCE is on record as having stated during a press conference held by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) on Monday, April 14, 2025, that traders had two weeks to stop operating along pavements within the central business district of Kumasi, or risk facing sanctions — including flogging.

The women’s rights group, in a statement signed by its Convener, Dr Akosua Darkwa, reminded public officials that Ghana is a democratic state governed by the 1992 Constitution, in which Chapter Five clearly outlines the human rights of every citizen.

It quoted Section 15 (2a) of the Constitution, which states categorically that “no person whether arrested, restricted, detained or not shall be subject to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

NETRIGHT therefore stated that the remarks by the KMA Mayor were “unbefitting of a public office holder and need to be condemned in no uncertain terms.”

It added that, “The statement made by the Kumasi Mayor shows that he is not fit to hold public office. We therefore call on His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, as a matter of urgency to remove Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi as the MCE for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.”

The group further noted, “As a women’s rights organisation, we are mindful of the impact of such abuse on families and the society at large and the fact that in these situations, women, a third of whom work as traders in Ghana, will bear the brunt of the abuse.”

“We are also deeply concerned that such actions by the KMA boss will curtail the democratic rights of the traders and create conditions for civil unrest in the country,” the statement added.

It concluded by saying, “We condemn in unequivocal terms the remarks by the MCE and express our displeasure with his failure to retract and apologise, but rather restating on Citi FM that he stands by his decision to flog traders who defy the ban.”

“We call on all Ghanaians to add their voice to the call for his removal from office,” adding that, “We cannot accept this barbaric statement! Not now, not ever!”