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The New Juaben Municipal Assembly is looking for a favourable site within the municipality to relocate second-hand clothes dealers whose continuous presence at the Ho Station in Koforidua can delay the commencement of a World Bank funded project.

The project which is meant for the clothes dealers involves the construction of a three-storey building with store rooms and sheds, estimated at  $598,531.43. 

The assembly has decided to relocate the traders to the Agatha Market, located at the Koforidua Railway Station and the Zongo Market.  But the traders who number about 200 have refused to move to either site.

According to the Municipal Chief Executive, Dr Kwaku Owusu-Acheampong, the traders had requested instead to be relocated to Pentuawala, a site close to the Koforidua office of the  Graphic Communications Group, which is unfortunately already occupied by foodstuff sellers.

“Whatever it is, the assembly is yet to take a decision on the request from the second-hand clothes dealers,” Dr Owusu-Akyeampong said.

He explained that even though the second-hand clothes sellers were considered as squatters, under the World Bank working document they were entitled to be resettled in an alternative place so that they were not denied their livelihood.

He was hopeful that the traders would work in agreement with the assembly in order not to have the project delayed unnecessarily.

The project
According to the Planning Officer for the assembly, Mr Anthony Amponsah, the perimeter around the structure would be paved and a ticketing booth and waiting room constructed for passengers.

He said the design for the project had already been completed.

He said the assembly was currently preparing a resettlement action plan to be forwarded to the World Bank through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development ( MLGRD).

"When it is accepted, we would then begin the resettlement of the traders for the project to commence," he said.

Preparation
On April 25, 2014, the assembly invited the traders to a stakeholder meeting at which they were informed of the project and their role in making it a success.

The assembly has since then reviewed its work plan, a copy of which, Mr Amponsah said, had been sent to the World Bank through the MLGRD, following which if consented to, tenders  would be received from bidders and evaluated, after which work would begin.

According to Mr Amponsah, in order to make the traders feel sure of getting stores after the completion of the work,"we will again register them, take their pictures and forward their details to the World Bank.

He said the assembly would also sign an agreement with the traders to make sure that it was the same group that were given shops on completion of the project.