Head porters, hawkers ‘hijack’ Kejetia Market rest area

A seating area within the new Kejetia Market is gradually being taken over by head porters, popularly known as paa-o-paa, and hawkers.

According to the design of the new market, the area which has an estimated seating capacity of 200 people, is supposed to serve shoppers who patronise the food joints area within the market, and also serve as a temporary stop for residents who will like to take a short break when they come to the market to shop.

Surprisingly, the area has been turned into a resting place for hawkers who display their wares on the tables and head porters who sleep on the seats after hours of carrying goods to and from the market to eke a living, as they would their beds.

During a visit to the market last Tuesday by the Daily Graphic, some head porters were spotted sleeping on the benches while others were sitting on them as if they were there to buy food. Some hawkers had also displayed their wares on the tables and were selling to buyers, although hawking activities are not permitted inside the market.