Evicted Kwadaso onion traders reject new market

On April 29, 2024, 5:07 AM

The Kwadaso onion traders have rejected a new market space that was allocated to them a week after their sheds were demolished.

On April 22, 2024, the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) demolished hundreds of sheds belonging to the traders at the Kwadaso onion market in Kumasi.

According to the council, operations at the market posed a security risk in the area.

REGSEC further directed them to move to a new market at Atwima Takyiman.

Though the demolished area has been cordoned off to prevent traders from accessing it, some have found their way back and are doing brisk business six days later.

They complained that there were no engagements and feared facing another eviction at the relocated market in the near future.

Speaking to journalists, the leadership of the traders said they have decided to purchase a suitable space to prevent possible future eviction, as they cannot rely on the regional minister to guarantee their longevity at the new market.

“If he [the minister] cannot assure us of our permanent stay there, then they will just be relocating us as and when they wish so we are not going to the new market.

“We will find a place, buy it and build our market there. We will pay tax as expected of us, but we will secure our place so that nobody will come and say they’re relocating us again,” one of the leaders said.

Meanwhile, the minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, reacting to their concerns, said the council engaged them for more than a year before the relocation.

“We came out with a press release for them to relocate six months ago, but some chiefs delayed the process. That is why on the 2nd of April the Regional Security Council decided to release a final notice that they should relocate by before April 22, 2024,” he said.

He, however, did not give a definite answer as to whether the new market will be the permanent place for the onion traders.