Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly orders foreign nationals to vacate retail spaces by December 9, 2025
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has issued an order requiring all foreign nationals operating retail shops and kiosks within Kumasi to vacate their premises by December 9, 2025. The decision is described as part of a broader city-wide economic restructuring and regulatory enforcement drive aimed at formalizing retail activities and prioritising local business operators.
According to KMA officials, the directive follows several months of inspections and assessments that revealed widespread non-compliance with licensing, taxation, and urban planning regulations among certain retail shops run by foreign nationals. The Assembly noted that many of these shops operated without valid business permits, contributed little to local economic development, and undermined the interests of Ghanaian entrepreneurs.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Chief Executive emphasized that the eviction order is not intended to discriminate, but to ensure fairness, compliance with business laws, and sustainable urban planning. The move, the Assembly said, aims to clamp down on illegal businesses, enable controlled regulation of retail spaces, and ensure that local traders and artisans have equitable access to stalls and markets.
Reaction from affected foreign-run shops has been swift. Traders, some of whom have operated in Kumasi for several years, described the move as harsh, citing investments in stock, rental commitments, and families whose livelihoods depend on the businesses. They warned that the overnight eviction timeline could lead to job losses, property damage, and economic distress for many households.
Local business associations and market operator groups, on the other hand, welcomed the directive. They argued that fair competition, regulatory compliance, and the protection of local traders justify the action. Some market leaders said the order could revitalise open markets, reduce informal retail practices, and create opportunities for Ghanaian entrepreneurs.
Urban-policy experts observing the development noted that while efforts to regulate commerce are valid, the success of such moves depends heavily on providing alternatives for displaced traders, offering relocation support, and ensuring that eviction decisions are executed fairly, without creating social problems or xenophobic backlash.
Civil society and migrant-rights organizations have called on the Assembly to ensure that evictions respect human dignity, provide due notice, and offer support, especially for vulnerable foreign nationals and families. They emphasized that while regulation is important, so too is protection of basic human rights, including fair treatment, resettlement assistance and legal recourse.
As the December 9 deadline draws closer, stakeholders from all sides await to see whether the directive will be enforced fully, partially, or revised after consultations. The coming weeks are likely to determine the extent to which urban regulatory policy in Kumasi balances economic interests, legality, and social justice.
