Foss sellers flare up against KMA Boss on their 'unsuitable location'

Second-hand clothing sellers of Kumasi Central Market have denied apportionment at the Afia Kobi Market at Abinkyi airing their frustrations as a result of the lack of space and unattractive nature of the grounds.

They have warned that failure to provide them with suitable space will lead to a series of protests at the Kejetia market to demand a share of the place from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

“The KMA has informed our leaders that the Afia Kobi market is our new destination so we decided to enquire of the place,” Mr Sarfo, one of the protestors told SoireeNews.

“In fact, we are not happy about this site at all. The apportionment for foss sellers is very poor with no place to exhibit our products for sale. They (KMA) must locate us in a new place. At least they could have considered the situation of our former place where we had fans and televisions installed. This is worse and its better than telling us to stay home.”

The Kumasi City Markets Traders Union earlier cautioned the Ashanti Regional Minister, Honorable Simon Osei Mensah and the Kumasi Metropolitan boss, Honorable Osei Assibey Antwi on their decision regarding the evacuation of traders at the Kejetia Central Market to pave way for constructions works on the ground.

Some members of the second-hand cloth sellers according to reports have been asked to temporary settle at the Afia Kobi Market yet a follow up by traders proves the place is not fit for their trade. They have heavily accused the KMA Mayor, Honorable Osei Assibey Antwi of his deliberate actions to quench their capital to withdraw their interest in the ruling New Patriotic Party government in the next elections.

“We are not happy with Osei Assibey actions at all. He is unsettling the NPP and I urge executives to do something about it. The Kejetia apportionment still has issues and he is not even done settling it.

"We are pleading unto the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to take actions concerning our recent pleas. There is no space here for social distancing and it seems he cares not about our welfare at all,” a female trader complained.

Kofi Adam, foss seller told SoireeNews he does not understand why despite the available space at Kumasi Kejetia, the leaders do not want to provide them with a place to ease the work. He challenged that, the Afia Kobi market is not a good substitute to their former place hence the need to make available better and improved grounds for selling. He warned that failure to do so will amount to protests at the Kumasi Kejetia until they get what they want.

“We are not disputing the fact that they want to make Asanteman better.

“It almost a year now and if they had our concerns at heart, they would have provided a better place for us. Osei Assibey should be very careful. His ploy is to render us jobless and dedicate four entire Kejetia stores for his wife. He cares less about us and we will fight for what is right.”