Traders at the 31st December Makola Market (A&B) in Accra are preparing to stage a protest march today, Friday, May 15, to the Jubilee House.
The traders plan to present a petition to President John Dramani Mahama over what they describe as efforts by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to remove them from the market.
The planned relocation has created anxiety among many traders and workers who depend on the market for their daily income.
According to them, city authorities have not properly engaged them before starting the process.
They also claim the AMA has failed to provide an alternative place for them to continue their businesses.
Speaking before the demonstration, Interim Market Manager Ebenezer Bekoe said the traders feel frustrated and worried about their future.
He explained that many people at the market have invested heavily in their businesses and rely on daily sales to care for their families, pay rent, and cover school fees and other expenses.
Mr. Bekoe warned that relocating traders without proper planning could destroy livelihoods and increase the financial struggles many people already face.
He confirmed that traders had completed preparations for the protest and were mobilising in large numbers to march to the seat of government.
“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.
Mr. Bekoe added that the turnout could exceed expectations.
“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.”
