Traders at the 31st December Makola Market (A&B) in Accra are expected to embark on a protest march today, Friday, May 15, to the Jubilee House to petition President John Dramani Mahama over plans by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to relocate them from the market.
The traders say the proposed relocation has created anxiety and uncertainty among hundreds of business owners and workers who depend on the market for their daily livelihoods.
According to them, the intended exercise is being carried out without adequate consultation and without any alternative trading space being provided before the relocation takes effect.
Speaking ahead of the planned demonstration, Interim Market Manager Ebenezer Bekoe said the traders feel threatened by the arrangement and fear it could seriously affect their businesses and sources of income.
He explained that many of the traders have invested heavily in their shops and rely on daily sales to cater for their families, pay school fees, rent, and other expenses.
Mr. Bekoe warned that relocating traders without proper arrangements could worsen the economic difficulties many of them are already facing.
He disclosed that preparations for the demonstration had been completed, with traders mobilising in large numbers for the march to the Presidency.
“We are going to take a very drastic action. Our placards are ready, and we are moving. We are sending a petition to the Presidency. We have already sent letters to the Jubilee House, and the police have given us a permit, and we are going to move in our numbers,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be less than 100 because that is the number we gave to the police, but I can assure you that the numbers will be more than what we even envisaged,” he added.
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