Traders & food vendors fume over decongestion exercise

A massive decongestion exercise carried out by the authorities of the Sunyani Municipal Assembly last Tuesday, has drawn widespread anger and condemnation by petty traders and food vendors in the Brong-Ahafo Regional capital.

They are threatening to hit the street to register their displeasure with the city authorities.

The assembly with the support its city guards and the police pulled down structures at unauthorized places and forcibly removed traders and foods vendors on pavements.

Mrs. Theresah Adjei-Mensah, a Deputy Director at Assembly, justified the action and said the affected people and their activities had become a complete nuisance.

She told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that adequate notice was given to the traders to relocate to the Nana Bosoma Central Market, but this was ignored despite repeated warnings.

Mrs. Adjei-Mensah said it was unacceptable for the traders to take over sidewalks - creating human and vehicular traffic congestion in the central business district.

The furious traders had labelled the exercise unjustified, insisting that the assembly through its tax collectors had been collecting taxes from them, daily.

Mrs. Agnes Osei, who deals in shoes and sandals behind the Cocobod building, said the affected traders were dialoguing with the city authorities to find a way out.

Auntie Esi, a kenkey seller, denied claims by the assembly that they were given adequate notice to relocate.