Leaders of the Kwabenya New Market have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to revoke the appointment of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ga East, accusing the official of trying to evict traders from a temporary market facility.
The traders raised their concerns at a press conference at the Kwabenya New Market in the Ga East Municipality. They said they had faced intimidation from the MCE over the government’s 24-hour market project.
According to the market women and traders, President Mahama allocated the temporary facility to them so they could continue operating while construction of the 24-hour market is completed.
They allege that the MCE has threatened to remove them from the facility despite what they describe as clear instructions from the President.
The traders warned that an eviction without an alternative location could seriously affect their livelihoods. They said hundreds of people rely on the market for their daily income and could be affected by any disruption to their businesses.
Adwoa Adepa Adonteng, Assistant General Secretary of the market women, accused the MCE of disregarding President Mahama’s directives.
She said the traders were unable to understand why the MCE would seek to remove them from a place they believed had been temporarily assigned to them by the President.
The market leaders are therefore asking President Mahama to intervene and revoke the MCE’s appointment with immediate effect.
They said they support the government’s 24-hour economy agenda and the development of the market, but insisted that the project must be implemented through proper consultation and without putting traders’ livelihoods at risk.
The traders are also seeking clarification from the authorities about the project’s implementation and the long-term plans for the temporary facility.
They said they remained willing to meet the government and other stakeholders in an effort to reach an amicable settlement.
The dispute comes as the government advances its 24-hour economy policy, which aims to increase economic activity and create more employment opportunities across the country.
By Joseph Yugtii
