Traders operating at the Takoradi New Market in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis have stated they are not going to pay market tickets, store rents, and all other levies to the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) effective July 1, 2026.
They have also vowed to return to the incomplete market circle by the end of July. The decision is in protest over prolonged delays with the completion of the Takoradi Central Market (Market Circle) redevelopment project.
The traders, under the banner Concerned Traders of Takoradi New Market/Central Market, say they have spent nearly five years at the temporary facility, despite earlier assurances that the arrangement would only take about two years.
Speaking at a press conference in Takoradi on June 30, the Convener of the group, Lamisi Adam, expressed frustration over what she described as unbearable delays and poor communication from authorities regarding the project’s progress.
She said the situation has severely affected trading activities and the livelihoods of members, citing poor infrastructure, sanitation challenges, inadequate drainage, accessibility difficulties, and declining customer turnout.
According to her, repeated engagements and even a recent peaceful demonstration have yielded no clear updates from the authorities on the percentage of work completed, expected completion date, or timelines for the allocation of stalls and relocation of traders.
“We have waited patiently for years, but the silence and uncertainty are becoming unbearable. If the authorities fail to address our concerns, traders will from July 1 stop paying tickets, store rents, and all taxes to the Assembly,” she warned.
The traders are demanding urgent engagement with the STMA and other relevant stakeholders to provide a comprehensive update on the project and clear timelines for its completion.
They further stressed that the lack of communication has made business planning difficult and created anxiety among traders whose livelihoods depend on the market.
While reaffirming their commitment to dialogue, the traders warned they would resort to lawful and democratic measures, including further protests and petitions to higher authorities, and also move to the uncompleted market circle by the end of July, if their concerns continue to be ignored.
“We will continue to protest peacefully and by the end of July if we don’t hear from the necessary authorities, we are all going to move our trading activities to the market circle to trade till the project is completed”. She warned.
They maintained that their demand is not confrontational but centered on accountability, transparency, and the timely completion of the long-delayed Takoradi Central Market project.
In a related development, drivers in the metropolis say the delay has significantly reduced commercial activity in the area.
The Western Region Vice Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in the Sekondi–Takoradi Metropolis, Joseph Kingsley Eshun, who also serves as the Sekondi Trotro Branch Chairman, noted that the prolonged delay has negatively impacted both transport operators who rely heavily on the market for daily business activities.
He further appealed to traditional authorities within the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis to engage government to fast-track completion of the stalled Market Circle redevelopment project.
Background of the Takoradi Central Market (Market Circle) Project
The Takoradi Central Market, popularly known as the Market Circle, is one of the oldest and most important commercial hubs in the Sekondi–Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region.
For decades, it served as the heartbeat of trade in the twin-city capital, supporting thousands of traders, transport operators, and small businesses.
However, the redevelopment of the market into a modern facility has led to the relocation of traders to a temporary site at the Takoradi New Market, pending the completion of the main project.
By: Portia Cudjoe
