Traders to hit the streets

Decongestion & Relocation brouhaha After several pleas and attempts by traders within the Accra central business district area to the city authorities of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly for their proper relocation have failed, they have finally resolved to hit the streets of Accra with a massive demonstration exercise to back home their long-standing demands.

According to them, this they believe would be the only way the city authorities and government will pay heed to their demands which they said have been neglected hence the need for the demonstration.

In an application letter dated 5th July 2005 and copied to the Greater Accra regional police commander asking for his permission and approval to enable them embark on the said demonstration yet to rock the capital city, the traders expressed hope that the police authorities could grant them the approval to go on the their intended demonstration on the 13th July 2005.

The letter, signed by organizers of three groups making the Coalition of Traders Association namely Enoch Robert Asante of Positive Traders Association, Nana Yaw Amoafo of United Petty Traders Association and K. Asiedu of the Street Vendors Association, they noted that “we wish to process on a peaceful demonstration to back home our demand for a relocation after the decongestion exercise of the central business district of Accra”.

They further noted that the procession will start from the Kwame Nkrumah circle through Farisco to Parliament house, where they would present a petition to the leadership of the house precisely, the majority leader Felix Owusu Adjapong, Trade minister Allan Kyeremateng and Local Government minister Charles Bintim.

According to the group, the demonstration would be dubbed “Me dofo adaada me” literally meaning a trusted friend have deceived me.

According to the traders, time is long overdue since the city authorities under the leadership of Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, the Mayor of Accra promised to relocate them but virtually three months down memory lane, nothing concrete has been seen or done about their plight hence the intended action which they expressed strong believe would prompt government and the authorities of their passionate plight.

Meanwhile, credible information gathered by the Chronicle indicates that the letter has been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police P.K Acheampong for advice and consideration.

Information further has it that the police authorities have asked the traders to postponed the demonstration to a later date after 20th July 2005 since their proposed date is said not to be favourable them hence the call for an extension of the date to enable them prepare adequate and stand-by security for the traders as under normal provision.

In another letter specifically to the Mayor of Accra, Adjiri Blankson and also copied to both the Local Government minister and Greater Accra regional minister, the three associations have indicated that it is exactly two months since the Mayor promised to relocate them, stressing that “up till now, we have not received any information as to when we will be relocating”.

Also, they sought to inquire from the Mayor as to when they would be dully relocated, saying “we don't need further promises”.