Madina street hawkers storm Parliament with tears over decongestion

Amidst tears and chants, traders who ply their trade at the Madina New Market invaded the forecourt of Parliament House on Tuesday afternoon to share their frustrations with their Member of Parliament only to be told Legislators are on recess.

Their cry for help come after authorities of the La Nkwantanan Madina Municipal Assembly led a team of police officers to the new market behind Oman FM to drive them from the place they say was given to them by the assembly.

Speaking to Power 97.9Fm’s Parliamentary correspondent, Princess Arita Anim, the visibly distraught traders bemoaned the ‘bad’ treatment meted to them in the area.

One of them said they suspect foul play since they have had signals that some officials of the assembly had taken monies from some traders from Makola and Agbogbloshie to get them places to sell their items.

Calling on their Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Boniface Abubakar Siddique to help matters, the traders said they have nowhere to sell their goods except their current location.

One of the men among the traders stated they had been asked to sell at a new venue only to be sacked from the place on Tuesday afternoon.

“We voted for Honourable Bonniface but he seems to have neglected us…We have taken loans from banks to enable them do our business. We can’t afford to incur losses,” a middle aged woman narrated.

“We want to sell at our new market which is behind Oman FM but they have driven us from the place saying it is an order from above,” one of them added.

One of them alleged the officials who spearheaded the assault on them. “One of our colleagues was beaten last week and is still admitted at a hospital as we speak.”

Attempts to speak to Alhaji Boniface Siddique has proven futile.