Traders threaten to embark on demonstration

The Kumasi branch of the United Petty Traders Association of Ghana (UPTAG) has threatened to embark on a demonstration if the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) does not put in place proactive measures to ensure the relocation of its members following the recent decongestion exercise.

"It is a month now since the KMA embarked on its decongestion exercise to remove traders from their trading places, however, nothing concrete has been done for us as an association to ensure the resettlement of members", the union said.

A statement the association issued on Thursday expressed regret that out of the union's total membership of 5,021 only 417 had so far been relocated in some satellite markets.

The statement took a swipe at the KMA for their lukewarm attitude in developing enough satellite markets to resettle the traders, saying this development had left most traders stranded.

It cited for instance the Suame satellite market whose construction commenced long ago but is yet to be completed.

The statement said it was quite unfortunate that members of the union who were ejected from their trading places in other regions had long been relocated but "The KMA continue to take us for granted all this while".

"We are worried and tired of some discouraging comments by some KMA officials to the effect that they never told anybody to come from the village and trade in the city."

It warned that if the KMA continue to exhibit its current disaffection for members of the UPTAG, "We would have no other choice than to troop onto the streets and register our disapproval".

Source: GNA