Security at Akufo-Addo’s residence affecting our businesses – traders

Small-scale businesses operating in close proximity to the Nima private residence of Ghana’s President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, say the declaration of the area as a security zone is greatly affecting their businesses.

Moments after the Electoral Commission last Friday declared Nana Akufo-Addo winner in the December 7 elections, armed Police personnel took over the security of his residence where they mounted security blocks.

A road in front of the house has since been closed while a taxi rank just opposite the house has also been moved from the location, leaving some artisans and traders.

An auto mechanic shop also opposite the house remains. But owners of local eateries, drinking bars, traders and artisans operating within the area, which is at the Nima junction off the Ring Road Central, complain they are now faced with low patronage due to the heavy security presence in the area.

Some of them have also expressed fear they could be ejected from the place, a situation they say is likely to collapse their businesses because of the difficulty they would encounter in getting a new place.

A seamstress who gave her name as only as Madam Gifty claimed though Nana Akufo-Addo has allayed their fear of a possible ejection because they have occupied the place for long, they still would want authorities to provide them a new place should it become necessary to eject them.

An auto mechanic, Kofi Adu told Onua FM’s Maxwell Otoo that despite the fact that the security situation in the area is affecting their businesses, they are excited about the victory of Nana Akufo-Addo in the elections.

He said their customers now have to go round a different place to access their shop due to the heavy security presence in the area; a situation he said is driving their customers and new ones away.