Kumasi Mayor Samuel Pyne has refuted claims that traders affected by the Abinkyi Market demolition petitioned the Assembly on their concerns prior to the exercise.
This was after the traders claimed they visited the Assembly on several occasions to seek clarification on the intended demolition exercise but could not have access to the Mayor.
Samuel Pyne, the Mayor of Kumasi in an interview with Citi News denied dealing with the traders on the exercise.
On Saturday, July 20, 2024, a private developer demolished the Abinkyi (Afia Kobi) market, destroying goods and other belongings of traders.
In response to a question about possible compensation for the traders whose shops and goods were destroyed during the demolition, Samuel Pyne asserted that no goods were damaged in the exercise, as the traders were given ample time to vacate.
He added that any trader with concerns should come to the Assembly for redress.
The Mayor also mentioned that the said land is not for the government and insisted the Assembly cannot decide for the Private developer who owns the land.
“It is never true they [the traders] came to the assembly. Those who are on air talking plenty, have their reasons for doing that. I have not seen any written petition, and I have not met them [the traders] anywhere. I know that they came to the coordinating director to have discussions.
“The story surrounding the Afia Kobi Market is quite complex because the market is not for KMA. There is a portion which is for KMA. The rest is for private people, the Aboas and the Appiahs. And there was legal litigation between themselves [the two families] and TK Braimah and the court ruled against TK Braimah.”
“They [the traders] change their story whenever they go out there. But I will assure them that those who have issues should come to the assembly. Some of them complained that their wares were demolished with their shops. That story is not true. So what is the truth? The truth is that no property was destroyed.”
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spams, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
