KMA Boss refutes bribery claims amid tears at Abrepo Junction demolition

Tensions are rising in Kumasi following a massive demolition exercise at the busy Abrepo Junction, where traders and officials of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) have clashed over allegations of bribery and extortion.

The demolition, carried out on Thursday, October 8, 2026, has sparked outrage among affected traders, many of whom were seen crying and lamenting the destruction of their stalls and goods as a KMA task force, supported by heavy machinery, cleared the area. Several traders insist the exercise was conducted without adequate notice.

Bribery Allegations Emerge

At the centre of the controversy is a claim by traders that KMA officials demanded a GH₵200 “time extension fee” to allow them additional days to pack out and relocate.

According to the traders, although they were aware of an initial eviction notice, they were later approached by certain officials who allegedly collected the fee in exchange for more time.

“We were preparing to leave because we paid for more time,” one distraught trader said. “How can they take our GH₵200 for an extension and then show up with bulldozers to destroy our goods?”

The traders questioned why the Assembly would collect money for an extension only to carry out what they described as a “surprise demolition” before the supposed deadline.

KMA Boss Pushes Back

In a swift response, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr. Richard Agyeman Ofori Boadi, strongly refuted the allegations, describing them as baseless and an attempt to tarnish the Assembly’s reputation.

Speaking to the press shortly after the incident gained public attention, the Mayor said the claims were being fueled by frustration over the impact of the demolition.

He insisted that the Assembly had given traders ample notice and had been “more than fair” in its dealings.

Mr. Ofori Boadi stressed that the exercise was necessary to restore order, adding that many traders refused to comply with the directive due to what he termed a “culture of lawlessness.”

“These bribery allegations are simply not true,” he said. “They are only saying this because they are unhappy with the enforcement of the law.”