Some trader associations in Kumasi have vowed to campaign against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2024 general election should the government fail to complete all the abandoned markets in the Ashanti Region.
The associations, including the Second-hand Cloth Sellers Association, Santasi Traders Union, Suame Magazine Workers Union, Mamponteng Traders Association, Central Market Traders Association, and the Kumasi Lotto Sellers Association, jointly issued a release on Monday, May 6, and threatened to collaborate with other aggrieved associations to stage a five-day protest if their demands are not granted.
“Over the past one year, [and] six months, progress on these projects has come to a halt due to the renegotiation of a loan agreement following the country’s decision to opt for a financial bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while other markets including Mamponteng market, Krofrom market, and Santasi market has been abandoned since former President Kufuor era.
Traders’ Unions, Kumasi
Furthermore, the press statement noted that there are presently four major markets that have been abandoned by the ruling NPP government due to the current IMF program the country is undertaking.
These markets, the press statement indicated, include the Krofrom Market 2, Mamponteng Market 3, Santasi Market 4, and Phase Two of the Kejetia Market.
As such, the traders’ unions noted that they have continuously voiced their concerns regarding the challenges they face in conducting business at their current locations. The government, they stated, has however turned a blind eye to their concerns.
Moreover, the statement emphasized that the government’s failure to meet completion targets has left the traders disheartened and frustrated.
Furthermore, the traders, through the statement demanded to know why the government would initiate a project and abandon it, “leaving our fellow traders to sell their goods in unsuitable conditions”.
Weather Conditions Affect Trade
More so, the traders lamented that their livelihoods are severely impacted by extreme weather conditions, which transform their marketplaces into muddy swamps during rainfall and dust bowls during scorching heatwaves, significantly hindering their ability to conduct business effectively.
The traders further noted that as a stronghold of the NPP, the Ashanti Region, rightfully expects swift development, especially in Kumasi, emphasizing that the lack of progress on these crucial projects has left them deeply disappointed.
“We, the aforementioned traders’ union, earnestly appeal to His Majesty, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, once more to intervene on our behalf. We humbly implore Asantehene to lend his support and influence towards the restoration and completion of all abandoned markets in the region”.
Traders’ Unions, Kumasi
Furthermore, the traders extended their plea to the Ashanti Queen Mother, Nana Konadu Yiadom, who holds jurisdiction over all markets in the Ashanti Kingdom.
They confidently stated that, given her experience as a former trader, she would bring a unique understanding of their challenges and empathize with their struggles, thereby empowering her to advocate passionately for their interests and champion their cause with authenticity and conviction
The trades’ unions noted that should their demands to the government not yield any result, they, together with the Asanteman Youth Union, will join the five-day demonstration by their colleagues of Central Market and second-hand cloth sellers to demonstrate against the government.
As such, they urged the Contracta Company, in charge of the construction of the Kejetia market, to remove all the barricades from the Kejetia second phase projects “before we do it by ourselves because we will not think twice to take it off to do our businesses there if our demand is not heard”.
Meanwhile, besides the market traders, a diverse range of stakeholders, including Teacher Unions and the Ghana Chamber of Commerce of Young Entrepreneurs, have been intensifying their calls for the government to address their pressing concerns, particularly as the country approaches a critical election year. These groups, among others, are eager to see meaningful action on their demands, which could significantly impact their choices at the poll.
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