Communication Director of Ghana Union of Traders Associations, Joseph Padi, has disclosed that his outfit will be meeting with officials of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) over a demolition exercise carried out in Accra.
The demolition exercise which happened on Monday, March, 29, 2021 occurred at the Opera Square in Accra. Dozens of stalls and shops in the area were demolished and as a result traders are blaming the AMA for the act.
According to Mr. Padi, the meeting scheduled will help ascertain circumstances surrounding the positioning of some containers by an unknown private developer.
“We were not aware. The issue was not [just] a demolition exercise; it was just a developer who brought some containers to take over space. So, we went to the AMA and find out who is embarking on this project. But the Mayor said they were not aware of it. So, we are investigating. Today, we will go to the AMA and meet the Mayor at 1 pm to finalize this matter. But for now, we have brought everything under control”.
He further explained that the exercise was carried out without the knowledge and permission of the assembly. That notwithstanding, traders are pointing fingers at the AMA for hatching the plan to carry out the exercise in an attempt to evict them.
AMA assures investigation into demolition exercise
The Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah has denied the involvement of the Assembly in the destruction of stall. This follows the demolition of about 200 shops at Opera Square. He further assured that the assembly will get to the bottom of the matter.
He further stated that the Assembly will not take a decision that will jeopardize Ghanaian traders.
“I have met with the GUTA president and their executives. And I have also met the leadership of the affected traders and the understanding is that we should all come to the site and physically look at what has happened over here and take a decision based on that.”
Prior to this, President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng, has urged affected traders to remain composed to allow the leadership of the association to handle the matter.
“I know and believe that you people listen to me as your president. So, I will also ask of you to have confidence in us that we will get to the bottom of this issue. So, I know it is very painful to see our shops demolished this way. But let’s exercise patience and let us get to the bottom of it.”
Concerns of affected persons
Due to Monday’s demolition, more than two hundred electrical and home appliances shops were destroyed. Mr Kwadwo Wiafe, an electrical shop owner, stated that they were not informed about any such exercise.
Mr. Wiafe further appealed to government to intervene and investigate the incident.
“We just came here this morning to find our shops destroyed and till now we don’t know those who are behind it”.
Mr Hassan Mubarak, a trader at the Opera Square revealed that he suspects the demolition was done to evacuate them from the area.
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