Traders take over pavements in Takoradi
The Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) will soon evict all illegal traders operating around the Takoradi Market Circle of the Western Region.
Currently, the Takoradi Market Circle and its environs are heavily congested as a result of the invasion by hawkers and other traders who are found at every corner of the central business district.
The traders have taken over the pavements, pedestrian walkways and parking spaces, making the market circle untidy, dirty and overcrowded.
They sell a wide range of items, from vegetables, fruits, shoes, tissue paper, drinks and jewellery to used clothing.
The current situation has made pedestrian movement very difficult, slower and inconvenient.
A visit by DAILY GUIDE to the central business district of Takoradi yesterday revealed that traffic flow was difficult compared to what existed before the hawkers took over by the traders.
Some of the residents who poured out their frustrations at the current situation were of the opinion that the STMA’s city guards had to be deployed at some vantage points to ensure that sanity prevailed in the area.
They maintained that the assembly should map out plans to ensure that the traders return into their stalls, stores and sheds.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, the Public Relations Officer of STMA, Mr. John Laste, explained that during the Christmas celebrations last year, the traders appealed to the assembly to allow them to trade on the pavements and promised to leave immediately after the Yuletide.
“So the assembly allowed them, and when the time elapsed for them to leave, they did not.
“But we are coming out with a plan to clear them from the unauthorized trading centres to their permanent locations,” he added.
Meanwhile, some of the traders have appealed to the assembly to allow them to do business on the pavements after 5:00pm each day when the main market has closed, and also on Sundays.
They pointed out that the increase in the population of the city had in turn resulted in the heightened pressure on the various market centres.
“But this also did not mean we the traders could take over the streets with impunity.
“As citizens, we have to know what is right from wrong. But we are appealing that we should be allowed to sell on the pavements after 5:00pm each day and on Sundays,” they said in separate interviews.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi