Demolition at Asafo Turns Violent as Traders Resist KMA Officials
A demolition exercise by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) turned chaotic on Wednesday afternoon after squatters resisted the pulling down of unauthorized structures behind the COCOBOD building near the Asafo overpass.
The taskforce, supported by police and military personnel, moved in to demolish makeshift structures including shacks and wooden kiosks. According to the Assembly, the structures were illegally erected and obstructing pedestrian movement in the area.
Tensions escalated when occupants attempted to stop the exercise. Some residents began pelting stones and sticks at the taskforce moments after the operation commenced. Despite the resistance, the team proceeded and pulled down several structures.
The taskforce was however forced to retreat temporarily to avoid injuries after the confrontation intensified. One member of the taskforce was reportedly hit by missiles during the clash. Traders were seen salvaging their wares from the debris as bulldozers cleared the illegal structures.
The affected traders complained they had not been served any prior notice. “We have been here for years. Nobody told us they were coming to pull down our shops. Where do they expect us to go and sell? This is how we feed our families,” one trader lamented. Some occupants also claimed the land was temporarily given to them by a private developer identified as Ali.
The Assembly is yet to comment on the incident. The demolition forms part of KMA’s ongoing efforts to decongest the Kumasi Central Business District and enforce building and sanitation laws.
