Traders and commercial transport operators at Anloga Junction in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region have protested against a planned eviction from the area.
The demonstrators, many of whom depend on the location for their livelihoods, are calling on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the government to intervene and stop the eviction.
The protesters include women traders, tomato sellers and importers, petty traders, plywood dealers and commercial drivers.
They said removing them from the site without providing an alternative would seriously affect their businesses and families, particularly those who have taken loans to finance their operations.
One of the traders appealed to the Asantehene and the government, saying, “We’ve borrowed to do our business, so where will we go if you evict us?”
The occupants claim the land, which they say belongs to the state, is being targeted for private commercial development. They alleged that plans are underway to hand the site to a private developer to construct shops.
The protesters acknowledged that the area has been earmarked for the construction of a road interchange. However, they insisted that they would only vacate when actual work on the interchange begins.
They said they would not accept an eviction that would allegedly make way for private development on land intended for a public project.
During the protest, the demonstrators wore red and black clothes and carried placards with messages calling for the protection of their livelihoods and public land. Some of the messages also criticised Oforikrom Municipal Chief Executive Anwel Sadat.
The protesters said an earlier attempt to remove them from the area was unsuccessful but claimed they have now been given until Friday, September 4, 2026, to vacate the site.
Some of the occupants also alleged that the eviction order was being pushed by private interests rather than coming directly from the government.
A commercial driver said they would have no objection to leaving if the government was ready to begin construction of the interchange.
