Section of traders unwilling to relocate
Some traders and transport operators are still lingering around the Kejetia Redevelopment project site, six days after they were asked to relocate to the Race Course market.
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Even though some of their colleagues have moved, others are still adamant.
The situation has compelled the Chief Executive Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Mr Osei Assibey-Antwi, to issue an ultimatum to all traders and transport operators to either move to the new site or lose their places to other traders.
Action
The MCE, who spoke to the Daily Graphic in Kumasi yesterday, said the assembly would seek the assistance of the military and police to arrest, seize wares and prosecute recalcitrant traders and drivers who would refuse to vacate the Kejetia Redevelopment Zone.
According to him, the assembly had secured and prepared other markets in the metropolis including the Afia Kobi Market, also known as Abinkyi, Adumang, Ampabame and Kwadaso markets as permanent sites for the traders, adding that,“ the Race Course area is not a permanent place, it is just a temporary measure.”
Observation
A visit to areas such as ‘Dr Mensah’ and Kejetia revealed that the number of traders, who used to occupy the streets and pavements at those areas, had reduced drastically, leaving pedestrians with some space to walk about.
And at the Race Course Market last Thursday night, some traders could be seen busily putting up wooden structures to begin sales of their respective merchandise.
Almost all the available spaces at the site have been marked and apportioned but as of press time, none of the traders have started selling their wares.
Reaction
In a response, the chairman of the Petty Traders Association in Kumasi, Nana Prempeh, said they had been made aware of the ultimatum issued by the assembly and gave an assurance that his members were preparing to move to the new site.
Explaining why the relocation had delayed, he said that the KMA should have completed the reconstruction of the Race Course before asking them to move instead of leaving most of the work to the traders.