A group of roadside traders operating near the old Tendamba Primary School in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region has appealed to the Wa Municipal Assembly and government to reconsider plans to evict them from their trading spaces to pave the way for the construction of a proposed 24-hour economy market.
Speaking to 3news on behalf of the affected traders, Yahaya Bening Abdul Rashid, a trader and victim expressed concern over what he described as the lack of proper engagement between the Assembly and traders before the eviction notice was issued.
According to him, the traders had operated in the area with the knowledge and permission of the school. They had always been informed of developments affecting the area through the school’s engagements with the Assembly.
“We were aware that there would be demolition works to make way for the 24-hour market project, but no one officially engaged us. It was only on June 3 that an Assembly worker informed us that we had until midnight same day to remove our structures,” he said.
Yahaya described the notice as inadequate and insensitive, arguing that many of the traders depend entirely on their businesses for survival and support of their families.
“We are traders, we are human beings and we have feelings. We should have been consulted and given a reasonable timeline. Most of us took goods on credit and depend on daily sales to repay loans and feed our families,” he stated.
He further argued that the traders’ structures do not interfere with the proposed market project, noting that they are located beneath high-tension power lines, an area he believes is unlikely to be used for the market’s expansion.
While expressing support for the government’s 24-hour economy initiative, Rashid questioned why existing businesses would be displaced without a clear resettlement plan.
“The purpose of the market is to create jobs, but we are already self-employed. We have helped reduce unemployment. If we are forced to leave without an alternative location, are we not being pushed into unemployment?” he asked.
The traders are calling on the Assembly to engage them and develop a resettlement strategy that would allow them to continue earning a living while construction of the market proceeds.
Rashid also appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and ensure that their concerns are addressed.
Another affected trader, Hadijah Abubakari, echoed the concerns, saying the traders were not opposed to the development project but wanted authorities to consider the impact on their livelihoods.
“We are pleading with the Mayor and the elders to take a second look at our situation. We don’t have any other source of income apart from this trading. Many of us are servicing loans and supporting our children through these businesses,” she said.
Ms Abubakari stressed that the traders were not attempting to obstruct the project but were seeking compassion and dialogue from authorities.
“They are creating jobs, but that should not mean terminating existing jobs to create new ones. We are begging them to reconsider and allow us to continue working or provide us with an alternative place to trade,” she added.
The traders say they remain hopeful that the Wa Municipal Assembly will engage them and find a solution that balances development with the livelihoods of those affected by the project.
By Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara
