Traders in the Ajumako‑Enyan‑Essiam District of the Central Region have appealed to authorities for temporary trading spaces as road construction for the district’s new 24‑hour economy market at Enyan Abowinum displaces them from their current locations.
The appeal follows the market’s construction, which began in April and is only 9 % complete, with the lockable shops 12 % finished and the project expected to finish within 24 months.
Project Engineer Mr Francis Atinyo said excavation, reinforcement and column works are underway and concrete casting will start soon, but design discrepancies have delayed some facilities. He remains confident the schedule will hold if funding continues to be released on time.
Uncle Fii, a shoe and bag seller, said traders had been promised alternative sites by Assembly officials but have yet to receive concrete arrangements. “Where are we expected to go? Are we supposed to stay at home and watch our families go hungry? We pay three different forms of revenue to the Assembly, so the authorities should treat us fairly,” he said.
Other traders question the new market’s location, five kilometres from Ajumako, arguing it could hinder access for residents of nearby communities such as Ochiso and Hasowodze. The traders also call for the speedy completion of the facility, better sanitation, and the provision of temporary trading areas to ease their difficulties.
Tomato seller Phoebe Akyerefi urged the Assembly to finish stalled stalls at the existing market, noting that poor sales have caused some traders to lose their perishable goods.
As construction progresses, traders await concrete solutions that will allow them to continue their businesses without disruption.
