Shop owners at the Nii Annang Adjor Market in Ashaiman on Monday morning woke up to the demolition of their shops by a task force from the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly.
According to the traders who number over 500, although they had been informed of plans by the Assembly to develop the area into an ultra-modern chain of stores, they were not given details on when they will be moved from the area.
As of the time Citi News got to the scene, most of them were seen trying to salvage their wares from the demolished shops as the task force officials were busily breaking into some containers and shops that were locked.
Some of the traders who spoke to Citi News said, they expected the local authorities to inform them about the exercise.
“They asked us to relocate. They didn’t tell us where we should go to. Where will we go now? How will we make ends meet?” one of the angry traders quizzed.
Another trader, who gave her name as Regina, said the assembly should have prepared an alternative place for them to move to before carrying out the exercise.
“They told us they will evict us and take us somewhere else. They didn’t tell us where they will take us. We woke up only to realize that they have started destroying our shops.”
“We appeal to the leaders, we are not opposed to making this place better. We are only saying that you should find us a better place and take us there rather than leaving us here with no alternative,” said Hajia Fati.
Naomi, also a trader at the market, said they are disappointed that despite paying GHS 20 monthly as a security fee among other levies collected from them, the assembly could treat them this way.
Officials from the assembly told Citi News’ Tema correspondent, Elvis Washington that ample time was given to the traders to relocated before the exercise was conducted.
