Kumasi Hawkers in Trouble

THE DAYS of some ‘stubborn’ hawkers in Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti region, who ply their trade on the streets of the city, seem to have been numbered as the Kejetia Petty Traders Association, United Petty Traders Association and Kejetia Main Pavement Traders Association have declared war on them.

The three powerful associations have jointly tasked the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to use its powers to eject the hawkers.

They lamented that the presence of the hawkers on the streets was negatively affecting business activities at the refurbished Race Course Terminal.

Nana Akwasi Prempeh, Chairman of the Kejetia Petty Traders Association, cautioned that his group and other recognized traders associations would take the KMA on if they refuse to sack the hawkers.

Addressing the media in Kumasi on Wednesday, he said business at the Race Course was collapsing because the hawkers were on the street.

According to him, the present KMA Chief Executive, Osei Assibey Antwi, had done well in office, but he should not allow the hawkers to trade on the streets.

Nana Prempeh said the assembly had spent huge sums of money in refurbishing the Race Course and should make sure the place is fully utilized.

He hinted that some of the traders are even planning to hit the streets and demonstrate against the KMA as a result of the activities of the hawkers.

By: Afia Sarpong Amankwa/ thePublisher