MAIDEN SESSIONAL ADDRESS OF HON. RICHARD OFORI-AGYEMAN
Introduction
The Metropolitan Chief Executive of the KMA, Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi on Thursday July17, 2025 delivered his maiden sessional address at the Prempeh Assembly Hall .The address outlined his vision to reposition Kumasi as a clean, safe, innovative, and economically vibrant city.
Governance and Leadership
The mayor emphasized collaborative governance through regular departmental meetings, townhall engagements, and stakeholder consultations. New appointees are being nominated to reconstitute sub- Metro councils to strengthen local governance.
At prompt, the KMA is bedeviled with legal liabilities amounting to over 123 million cedis. To avert legal liabilities, he said, his office was taking step to improve coordination between legal teams to ensure significant reduction to KMA’s debt.
Security and Public Order
In addressing urban disorder, he mentioned that he initiated efforts to decongest the Central Business District (CBD) by removing illegal structures, enforcing traffic rules and imposing fines on non-compliant transport operators. To further enforce compliance, he said over 114 commercial vehicles were impounded for fare violation.
He also proposed abye-law requiring all shop owners in the CBD to install smoke detectors in attempt to minimize fire occurrences.
Public Safety and Sanitation
He declared sanitation as a top priority, introducing night sweeper contracts in CBD and increase wages for better results. In addition, he stated, monthly clean up exercise and waste segregation initiatives are ongoing.
Public Relations and Corporate Image
Under a renewed communication strategy, the Mayor hinted that KMA is investing in digital engagement including social media, newsletters and a mobile/ WhatsApp bot for citizen feedback. He announced that rebranding initiative is underway to make the KMA more service- driven and transparent.
Revenue, Finance, and Debt
Despite notable revenue growth by over 26.9% in 2023/24 through Internally Generated Funds (IGF), Hon. Agyeman Boadi hinted that, financial pressures from garnishment orders and legal liabilities persist. KMA’s debt stock he said, stands at GH¢123.5 million as of June 2025. To address this, he stated that, the administration has introduced a Risk Assessment Policy and digitized revenue collection systems.
Urban Infrastructure and Development
The Mayor reported on ongoing infrastructure projects including road rehabilitation in Bantama, Krofrom, and Suame including plans for BRT buses and completion of Kejetia Phase II, and resume the Krofrom Market project.
Smart City and Planning
He told the Assembly; Kumasi is part of the national “Ghana Smart Cities” project focused on data-driven urban management. He added that, the KMA is currently preparing a Medium-Term Development Plan(2026–2029), supported by town-level stakeholder engagements. “A Spatial Development Framework, green master plan, and strict enforcement of development permits are key strategies in addressing rapid urbanization”, he added.
Education, Youth, and Health
In education, he said he has seen improvements in BECE and WASSCE pass rates were, along with new projects including a new dining hall for Serwaa Nyarko SHS and school blocks for Adiebeba MA. He reaffirmed support for youth initiatives and maintenance of community Astroturf fields and plans to include the expansion of the KMA Clinic with pediatric and gender- specific wards underway.
Social Welfare and Agriculture
He assured that programmes like LEAP and disability support will continue. He said, the Feed Ghana Programme has taken root in urban and peri-urban farming, with initiatives like backyard poultry and school gardening gaining traction. Over 1,200 farmers have been mobilized into Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs) to strengthen access to inputs and markets.
Conclusion
In concluding his address, Hon. Agyeman Boadi called for unity, collective action, and depoliticized service to ensure the sustained transformation of Kumasi.
His vision, he stressed is anchored in collaboration, innovation, and a shared resolve to elevate Kumasi as a modern African metropolis.