The Madina Council Traders Association has appealed to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for
La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Faila Fuseini and other relevant authorities to postpone the proposed demolition of the market to allow traders more time to sell their goods and secure alternative trading spaces.
The association says its members are not opposed to the 24- Hour Economy Market redevelopment project but are concerned that the short notice could disrupt their businesses, particularly as many have borrowed money to purchase goods in preparation for the Christmas trading season.
Addressing the media at a press conference, the group’s secretary, Micheal Osei, called on the authorities to extend the deadline to at least the end of the Christmas season or January to enable traders to sell their stock and make arrangements before vacating the affected area.
Micheal Osei, secretary, Madina Council Traders Association
He stressed that the traders supports the redevelopment initiative but want the process to be carried out through proper consultation and with adequate arrangements for those whose businesses would be affected.
“We are not against the redevelopment of the market, whether today or tomorrow. We support it because it will help us. But the time is too short,” Mr Osei said.
Mr Osei explained that several traders had taken loans to purchase goods in anticipation of increased sales during the Christmas season.
He said an immediate demolition could leave traders struggling to recover their investments and repay their loans, particularly if they are forced to leave the market before selling their existing stock.
According to him, the timing of the proposed exercise has become a major concern for members who depend on daily sales to sustain their businesses and meet their financial obligations.
The association is therefore asking the authorities to consider extending the deadline to the end of December or January, giving traders sufficient time to sell their goods and prepare for relocation.
Mr Osei maintained that the traders are willing to cooperate with the authorities but insisted that their financial circumstances and livelihoods should be considered in determining the demolition schedule.
Another major concern raised by the association numbering over 2000 is the absence of a clearly identified alternative location for affected traders.
Mr Osei said the traders could not be expected to vacate their current business premises without being informed where they would operate during the redevelopment.
He called on the municipal authorities to provide a temporary trading location where members could continue their businesses until the redevelopment project is completed.
“Before you ask us to go, at least show us where to go. We can’t just wake up and go,” he said.
The association believes that providing an alternative trading space would help minimise disruptions to business activities and protect the livelihoods of traders during the construction period.
It also wants the authorities to clarify whether traders would be allowed to return to their existing locations after the redevelopment or whether they would be permanently relocated.
According to Mr Osei, such clarification would enable members to plan their businesses and understand their positions before the demolition begins.
The association also disputed suggestions that adequate engagement had taken place between the traders and the municipal authorities over the proposed demolition.
Ruben Zewu, organiser for the group said the traders had heard reports that the market area would be demolished but maintained that the association have not received sufficient official communication explaining the arrangements and timeline for the exercise.
Ruben Zewu, Organiser, Madina Council Traders
He recounted that the traders had been asked to attend a meeting with the MCE on a Thursday October 15, but the meeting did not take place as expected because the MCE was absent.
According to him, the association did not reach any final agreement with the municipal authorities on the proposed relocation or the demolition schedule.
He insisted that the traders have not concluded discussions on when they should vacate the area, where they would be relocated or the arrangements that would apply after the redevelopment.
The association is consequently calling for renewed engagement with the MCE and other relevant stakeholders to address these concerns before any demolition exercise proceeds.
The traders have urged the MCE, President John Dramani Mahama and other stakeholders to intervene and facilitate an urgent meeting to resolve the impasse.
Mr Zewu appealed to the authorities to exercise restraint and allow both parties to agree on a reasonable timeline and suitable alternative trading arrangements.
He said the association want to resolve the matter through dialogue and in accordance with the law, rather than resorting to confrontation.
“We are law-abiding citizens. We don’t want to take the law into our own hands,” he said.
He added that the traders are prepared to vacate the affected area once the necessary arrangements had been discussed and agreed upon.
The association is hopeful that an immediate meeting with the authorities would result in an extension of the deadline and the provision of temporary trading space, allowing the redevelopment project to proceed without unnecessarily disrupting members’ livelihoods.
The association outlined three main demands it wants the municipal authorities to address before the traders are required to leave the market.
First, an extension of the deadline: The traders want the authorities to give them more time, preferably until the end of the Christmas season or January, to sell their goods and prepare for relocation.
Second, meaningful engagement: The association is calling for direct consultations with the MCE and other relevant stakeholders to agree on the demolition schedule, relocation arrangements and the future of affected traders.
Third, an alternative trading location: The traders want a temporary market space where they can continue operating while the redevelopment project is underway.
They believe these measures would provide clarity, reduce the risk of financial losses and enable the authorities to carry out the redevelopment with the cooperation of the affected traders.
Despite their concerns, the association reiterated that it is not seeking to prevent the market’s redevelopment.
Mr Zewu said the traders recognises the potential benefits of improving the market and are prepared to cooperate with the authorities, provided their concerns are addressed.
He maintained, however, that the success of the exercise would depend partly on effective communication, adequate notice and arrangements that allow traders to continue earning a living during the construction period.
The association is therefore urging the municipal authorities to meet its leadership urgently and reach an agreement on the timeline and relocation arrangements.
As the dispute unfolds, the key issues remain whether the authorities will grant the traders additional time, provide a temporary trading location and clarify the future of affected businesses after the redevelopment is completed.
By 1960news.com
