THE KUMASI Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has been cautioned to drive away all recalcitrant hawkers and transport unions who are still plying their trade on the streets of Kumasi; else they (KMA) will suffer a massive demonstration.
The various traders associations in Kumasi, who are peeved about the continual presence of some recalcitrant traders on the streets, gave the warning during a press conference in Kumasi on Wednesday afternoon.
The associations include the Kejetia Petty Traders Association, United Traders Association, and Kejetia Main Pavement Traders Association. They said some hawkers are obdurate so extreme force must be applied to ‘tame’ them.
According to the traders, numbering thousands, they are highly impressed with the accommodative, respectful, visionary and hard working nature of Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, the Kumasi Mayor, since his assumption of office.
They said the Kumasi Mayor’s professional output has led to the beautiful transformation of the recently refurbished Race Course Bus Terminal, which is now very conducive for trading and transport businesses.
According to them, they thought all hawkers in the city would have obediently relocated to the place but that was not the case, so far.
They said some recalcitrant traders and transport unions had deliberately refused to accede to KMA’s constant reminder to leave the streets and move to the Race Course. The traders had therefore charged KMA to stop pussy-footing the issue and throw down the gauntlet.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Nana Akwasi Prempeh, Chairman, Kejetia Petty Traders Association, stated that the refusal of some traders to leave the streets is having adverse effects on traders at the Race Course.
He stressed the need for the assembly to intensify the decongestion exercise to rid the streets of the ‘stubborn’ traders.
The angry traders, who wore red armed bands to display their fury, acknowledged that though KMA was doing its best, it needs to be more proactive to ensure all the traders comply with the directive to relocate to the Race Course for peace to prevail.
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