KMA moves to clean up Kumasi with fresh clampdown on prostitution and street begging

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is preparing to roll out a sweeping enforcement operation aimed at curbing prostitution and clearing migrant beggars from the streets of the Ashanti regional capital, as part of efforts to restore order, safety and sanitation in the city.

The Chief Executive of the Assembly, Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi, announced the planned action during an interview on Nhyira FM, warning that the growing visibility of sex work in key parts of Kumasi poses a serious threat to the city’s reputation and social fabric.

According to Mr Boadi, areas such as Asafo, Ashtown, Ahodwo and Adum have increasingly become hotspots for prostitution, a situation he described as deeply troubling for a city widely regarded as Ghana’s cultural heartbeat.

“The increasing presence of prostitution in Asafo, Ashtown, Ahodwo, Adum and other parts of Kumasi is worrying,” he said.

The KMA boss disclosed that intelligence gathered by the Assembly points to a disturbing trend in which many of the individuals involved in the trade are believed to be foreign nationals, raising red flags about possible human trafficking and organised criminal activity.

“Information available to us suggests that a significant number of those involved are non-Ghanaians, with some allegedly being trafficked into the country for sex work,” he revealed.

Mr Boadi stressed that the Assembly will no longer tolerate such activities, insisting that decisive action is imminent.

“This kind of business is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Kumasi, the Garden City. Very soon, we will act,” he cautioned.

He explained that a special task force is currently being assembled to carry out targeted operations against prostitution and its facilitators. Anyone found to be trafficking, harbouring or profiting from the practice, he said, will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Beyond prostitution, the KMA is also turning its attention to the growing number of migrant beggars occupying major streets and intersections in the metropolis. Mr Boadi said the Assembly is working closely with the Ghana Immigration Service to identify and remove non-Ghanaian beggars from Kumasi.

“We are collaborating with Ghana Immigration to clear migrant beggars off the streets,” he noted.

The Chief Executive emphasised that the twin operations are critical to protecting Kumasi’s image and ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for residents, traders and visitors alike.

The announcement has been welcomed by some residents and stakeholders, who say street begging and open prostitution have become increasingly visible and disruptive in recent months.

Mr Boadi assured the public that the KMA remains committed to enforcing city by-laws and improving urban management, as part of a broader agenda to make Kumasi cleaner, safer and more orderly, in line with its historic identity as Ghana’s “Garden City.”