The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu has admitted that the authorities might have flouted the law in imposing a curfew on Old Tafo, a suburb of Kumasi.

The curfew became necessary after clashes between some Muslim youth and traditional leaders in the town in February this year claimed one life and caused injury to many. Several properties were also destroyed.

In response to the violence, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly imposed a 6pm to 6am curfew which was reviewed to 8am to 4pm. Last month, the Interior Ministry reviewed the curfew to 11pm to 4am after complaints from the angry residents for it to be lifted entirely.

The residents said there was no need for the curfew since the town was now calm.

A private legal practitioner, Dannis Adjei Dwomoh, said the first curfew was unlawful and that a curfew can only be imposed seven days at a time.

He also said the Interior Ministry is the only authorised body to impose curfews.

In a response as to why the curfew was done without recourse to the law, Kojo Bonsu told host of Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Kojo Yankson, that it was done in the interest of the people.

According to him, the safety of the residents is more important than what the law says and that was considered during the imposition of the curfew.

He said the Metro Security Council imposed the curfew because the situation was an emergency at the time and that the best thing to do was first secure life and property.

The Interior Ministry was however informed afterwards and the necessary steps were taken subsequently, he said.

“We are looking and being responsible for the people of Kumasi and the citizens of Tafo. Fine, some lawyer is looking at legalities but as a Mayor, you don’t look at the law when people are suffering.

“We have not done it every seven days but it worked and the people are happy. All we were looking at was to prevent people from being hurt, property being lost so that citizens can move around freely,” he added.

Kojo Bonsu said his priority was to ensure that his people are safe; “our intentions were right but maybe we did it in a wrong way.”

“At times you can go wrong with something but as long as the people we serve are happy, we will take it that way," he stressed.

The Mayor said he was proud of the improvements that have been made with regards to security in the metropolis.

He thanked the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Boakye and his men as well as the military for their hard work in ensuring the safety of residents in the region.

 

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