The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has commenced a major demolition exercise behind the COCOBOD building at Asafo, flattening hundreds of makeshift structures in an area authorities have designated a high-crime zone.

​The operation, supervised directly by Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, was carried out under heavy security provided by armed police and military personnel.

​According to city authorities, the targeted area has long served as a hub for illicit activities, including drug peddling and prostitution.

Security concerns in the enclave hit a peak recently when even the Assembly Member, Patrick Yeboah, was reportedly attacked and robbed of his mobile phone.

​In a separate high-profile incident, the Kumasi Mayor recently reported a police inspector for allegedly operating a brothel within the settlement, and that officer remains under investigation.

Mr ​Boadi defended the suddenness of the operation, explaining to Kumasi FM’s Elisha Adarkwah that the illegal settlers had been given prior notice to vacate.

He noted that previous, smaller-scale attempts to clear the area had resulted in settlers violently attacking KMA task force officers, injuring three and damaging equipment.

​The mayor described today's exercise as smooth and asserted that all unauthorised structures would be flattened to guarantee the safety of Kumasi residents.

​Despite the security justifications, the demolition has triggered an immediate humanitarian crisis on the ground. 

Thousands of evicted occupiers, including the elderly, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, have been left stranded.

​Scattered along the roadside, many displaced residents sat beside heaps of luggage and household items. 

While some waited for vehicles to transport their belongings, many openly lamented that they had no alternative shelter or anywhere else to go. 

Among those spotted navigating the ruins was an elderly man with a walking stick, wandering through the area.

​To prevent the evicted settlers from returning, the KMA plans to secure the site.

The land is officially owned by the Ghana Railway Authority (GRA), but in a twist that has shocked the city Mayor, some of the settlers reportedly hold active leases issued directly by the Railway Authority.

Mr Boadi expressed astonishment at these claims and announced plans to escalate the matter.

​He indicated that he would hold a meeting with the Ghana Railway Authority to discuss the situation, intending to report the findings to the ministers of Local Government, Lands, and Transport for further action. 

He added that the lease discrepancies would also be formally reported to the Lands Ministry for investigation.

Patrick Yeboah, Assembly Member for the area, has been speaking to us.