The Ashanti Regional Security Council has addressed concerns raised by traders at the Kwadaso Onion Market regarding their eviction from the current location.
Despite efforts to reassure them, the traders say uncertainties remain regarding their future at the proposed site.
Following an order from the Council four days ago to vacate the premises, traders are resisting the move to a new location at Atwima Takyiman. Their reluctance stems from fears of possible future evictions, casting doubt on the security of their livelihoods.
In a bid to enforce the eviction directive, armed security personnel oversaw the demolition of numerous structures at the once vibrant Kwadaso Onion Market, leaving behind a scene of desolation and debris.
The traders are refusing to relocate to the new parcel of land allocated to them at Atwima Takyiman and accused the authorities of not communicating with them prior to the eviction.
Responding to claims of insufficient communication with the traders, the Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah stated that engagement with the traders began over a year ago.
“We have been engaging them for more than one year and even six months ago, we came out with a press release that they should relocate and some chiefs intervened and laid the process and that is why on April 2, the Regional Security Council decided to release a final notice that they should relocate.”
He also said the Regional Security Council cannot give the traders any assurances about future or later evictions at the place they are being relocated.
“How do I give assurances when I do not determine the pace of development? The level of development will indicate whether their continuous existence at where they have been relocated is needed or not and it is not likely that I will be the Regional Minister by then.”
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spams, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital