Traders at Kumasi Central Market find themselves in a state of despair as a private developer has reportedly seized their trading area. The developer allegedly deployed land guards to assault their security personnel and vandalized the roofs of their shops.
These traders, who have occupied the central market space for over four decades, are now facing eviction due to the private developer’s claim of ownership.
The affected traders, whose livelihoods are at stake, express devastation at the grim prospect of losing their source of income. One trader lamented, “We have been here for over 40 years; this is the only source of income for our families.”
Desperate for assistance, the traders are appealing to the government and relevant authorities to intervene and safeguard their rights. They contend that the private developer is acting unlawfully and are adamant about continuing their business activities in the market.
Adding complexity to the situation is the ambiguity surrounding land ownership. While the traders assert that the land belongs to the Ghana Railways Authority, the private developer insists on possessing ownership rights.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has announced an investigation into the matter to ascertain the true ownership of the land.
The traders express frustration over the lack of transparency in the process, claiming ignorance of any court ruling that purportedly granted ownership to the private developer. They emphasize not being given an opportunity to challenge the ruling.
In a plea for government intervention, the traders call for an independent investigation into the matter and demand accountability from the private developer for their alleged actions.
