The Chairman for Second Hand Clothing Retailers Association, Mr. Daniel Ankomah has revealed that sellers of second hand clothing have chosen Kumasi Railways as their place of commerce following the none condusive nature of Kumasi racecourse.

According to Mr. Ankomah, the space reserved at the Kumasi railways is far improved than racecourse, where the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) directed them to occupy after the demolition of the Central Market for construction.

Addressing the Media in Kumasi on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, the chairman narrated that the association were notified by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to evacuate their former premises at the Central Market to pave way for construction works to begin. According to him, the Mayor of KMA suggested racecourse as an improved grounds for them yet upon inspection, they realised that the place is not constructive enough to contain them.

“The construction of the Central Market got to a stage where the second hand clothing retailers at Foseline (Central Market) needed to evacuate,” he said.

“The KMA executives including the Mayor, Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi led us to occupy racecourse for the time being to conduct business.

“We (executives) visited racecourse for supervision to know the situation of the place and from what we saw, the environment was not condusive for our trade due to the mud and dust situation.

He continued that upon further enquiries, they found railways to be suitable and made efforts to ask for the place, which is enhanced and suitable for them.

“We decided to enquire a different place on our own and finally realised that the shoe sellers association have 500 structures at railways, which will be beneficial to us after their departure.

“After we ensued in a talk with them, they gave us the permission to occupy the grounds, which is far better than racecourse. We have met the Mayor and he has permitted us to stay here for trade.

“So on behalf of my executives and the retailers association, railways is the new location for the second hand clothing retailers.

READ ALSO:

"Any petty trader by the roadside should be ceased" - Mr Kwabena Fosu

Mr. Ankomah announced that Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi has pledged to build the place up without taking a penny from them therefore, fellow retailers should show up for their allocation papers to enable them become eligible to sell at the new place.

“We will sit with the KMA allocation team to give each member allocation papers. Every cost incurred on the preparation of this ground is free. The Mayor has assured to take responsibility of that and the contractors have also assured to prepare the grounds and make the place condusive for trade. There is electricity and toilet facilities here as security is also firm,” he ended.

The Operations Director of Concerned Traders Association, Mr. Kwabena Fosu commended the efforts of executives of second hand retailers association and promised that it is the mandate of the Association heads to make sure that members have secured a suitable place for trade.

He pleaded unto the retailers executives to avoid discrimination and welcome every member to the newly acquired place without financial constraints.

“It is our mandate to acquire better environment for our members. The Assembly (KMA) took nothing from us and we are grateful. We plead unto them to provide the various allocation letters to the traders to enable their return to Central Market after the building be safe and easy.