Traders weep over AMA demolition

A Taskforce from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), together with the police, destroyed property of traders at Tip-Toe Lane, a major mobile phone trading hub at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra on Tuesday.

Items worth over millions of Ghana Cedis were completely destroyed in the decongestion exercise in the area. According to the traders, the move was part of a clean-up exercise to mark the 55th birthday of the AMA boss, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije.

Scores of traders, who wept uncontrollably, attempted to plead with the police to stop the destruction of their property.

“We were not served with any notice. No one knew about this exercise. I got here today to see that my kiosk had been demolished. I have got a wife and kids and as it stands now, I don’t even know how I am going to take care of them now. In the heat of this economic hardship, how does the government expect us to survive and where are we going to work?” an affected trader told DAILY GUIDE.

Some of the traders, who were constantly ordered to stay away, also stated the AMA should have served them with a notice to enable them move their property from the said location.

However, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso Central, Henry Quartey expressed disappointment in the Mahama-led administration for carrying out such an outrageous exercise.

“Today, I feel so bad as a Ghanaian because our forefathers fought for independence, and the Constitution of Ghana states categorically freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of movement. It also allows us to trade freely but today the AMA and the police, under the command of John Mahama, have tainted the very freedom that Ghanaians have been enjoying,” Hon. Quartey noted.

He wondered how the affected people would survive in view of the drastic increment in utility bills recently.

“Today, democracy in this country has fallen short. Where do we want these people to go and sleep. Where do they go to find jobs to take care of their children? Utility bills are increasing so if they are being sacked from this place which leaves them with no jobs, what will be the outcome on the economy? Do we want them to go and rob so that we pay the police force to fight the crimes?” the concerned MP quizzed.

Meanwhile, the Commander in charge of operations, at the Accra Regional Police Command, Chief Superintendent Sylvester Boyuo insisted that the AMA served a notice on the traders that they would embark on the exercise to facilitate the construction of the Nkrumah Circle Interchange.

“The AMA wrote to the regional police officers to help them to re-conserve the road for the work to go on. We are assisting the AMA to clear this place for the road to be constructed. Even if they were not told, must anyone tell them that their shops are on the road? Can’t they see that for themselves? We are here to protect lives and property,” Boyuo said.