Traders at the Kasoa Old Market are pushing back against a planned demolition exercise by the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly, which intends to clear several temporary structures to pave the way for the construction of new stores.
The Kasoa Petty Traders Association, which represents nearly 1,000 vendors, has warned that the move threatens the livelihoods of numerous traders, many of whom are unable to afford the anticipated rents in the proposed new facilities.
Speaking with the media, the association’s secretary, Appiah Roger, condemned the assembly’s actions as inconsistent with the government’s 24-Hour Economy Policy, an initiative aimed at promoting economic activity beyond regular working hours.
“This demolition, if carried out, will directly undermine the very economic inclusion the policy seeks to encourage,” Roger stated.
The traders are demanding the immediate revocation of the decision and have called for broader stakeholder engagement to explore alternatives that protect their sources of income.
Tensions remain high, with some traders vowing to resist the demolition “until their last drop of blood,” while many others have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and halt the assembly’s plans.
