A demolition exercise by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) at an unauthorized settlement behind COCOBOD in Asafo descended into violence on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, after squatters confronted officials and security personnel.
The occupants reportedly hurled stones and wielded sticks against the demolition team during the operation.
The exercise, spearheaded by Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, was aimed at clearing what city authorities have identified as a major hotspot for drug trafficking and prostitution.
The Assembly also cited environmental concerns, noting that the settlement lies within a flood-prone area where illegal structures have obstructed the flow of the Subin River, heightening the risk of flooding in Asafo Market and nearby communities.
Although heavily armed security officers accompanied the demolition team, they encountered stiff resistance from some of the squatters.
The confrontation resulted in damage to several KMA vehicles, while a number of Assembly personnel sustained injuries. The Assembly has since reported the incident to the Railway Police for further investigation.
Addressing the media after the incident, Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi insisted the attack would not derail the exercise.
He stressed that the Assembly would continue the demolition on Thursday, July 9, declaring that illegal occupants would not prevent authorities from enforcing the law.
According to the Mayor, the settlement poses serious security and environmental risks to the city, alleging that it has become a base for criminal activities, including drug trafficking and prostitution, while also contributing to pollution of the Subin River.
The demolition is part of the Assembly’s broader sanitation and decongestion drive to enforce local by-laws and improve environmental conditions across the Kumasi metropolis.
In recent weeks, the KMA has stepped up sanitation enforcement, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of several offenders. While some have been fined by the courts, others have received custodial sentences.
The latest operation comes just ahead of the two-day nationwide sanitation campaign declared by John Dramani Mahama.
Source: 3news
