Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi has been nominated as Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

He is the first in the Ashanti region to be named as the government announces heads of the various Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies.

Prior to the nomination, Mr. Boadi was instrumental in offering support to the Ashanti Regional Minister in supervising the affairs of the Kumasi Metropolis.

In the past NDC administration, Mr. Boadi was the Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi.

Kumasi's challenges

The slow pace of development in the Kumasi Metropolis remains a worry to residents of the Ashanti Region.

Aside from delays in completion of developmental projects, the Central Business District continues to struggle with filth and congestion.

Successive metropolitan chief executives have failed to deal with poor handling of refuse at the CBD and other trade hubs.

Though various strategies were adopted by past administrators, the investment is yet to reflect in the city.

Congestion at Adum and other areas of the CBD will be a huge task for Mr. Sam Pyne's successor.

A gradual decongestion of vehicles operating within the congested areas failed after tricycles were banned from the CBD.

Traders continue to take over pavements and streets, limiting space for pedestrians to go about their activities.

The second phase of the Kejetia Market has also progressed slowly despite assurances to complete in time.

The task ahead
 
If Mr. Boadi is given the nod by assembly members as Mayor of Kumasi, the expectations of the people remain high in demand for development.

Kofi Adams, a TV installer and an NDC member, is hoping for a strong individual with the will to implement all laws to instill sanity in Kumasi.

"Until a strong character takes the lead, Kumasi may not see the development being sought," he observed.

A major test case, perhaps, will be the support for traders affected by a recent major fire at the Adum Blue Light enclave to regain their source of livelihoods.