Traders at the Konkomba Yam Market in Accra are demanding the
suspension of plans by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to relocate
the market.
According to them, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC)
in the heat of the 2012 election campaigns, promised to maintain the
market at its current location and reconstruct it to an international
food market, if it is voted into power.
The traders, therefore, say they feel deceived by government as the
AMA is determined to close down the market, which has been in existence
for over three decades.
Since its establishment in October 1981, the market has become the
main source of food supply to people from all walks of life across the
country and also offer employment for over 5,000 people. The Konkomba
Yam Market is also said to be the largest Food market in West Africa.
Addressing a news conference Wednesday, Solomon Tamanja,
spokesperson for the traders said they find the eviction order
"strange".
"We are saying that the attempt being made today by the Mayor of
Accra to remove the market to another location is strange since we were
promised that the same market will be reconstructed to befit an
international food market after an NDC victory in 2012. So what has
happened? Is the NDC not in power in Ghana? Are Konkombas not Ghanaians?
What about the Onion Market, which belongs to foreigners from Burkina,
Mali and Niger? Where are they also going? This is discrimination at the
highest order against Konkombas and organised by President John
Mahama’s government and NDC party."
He described the move as a violation of their human rights and called
for the intervention from the National Peace Council, else they will
use every available means to resist it.
"We have the money and the necessary logistics to change the face of
the Yam Market. The Konkomba Yam Market Association must be allowed to
stay here and develop their market. Any deceit by AMA or His Excellence
John Mahama-led government to re-allocate the land will be resisted,"
Mr. Tamanja stated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tamanja is also unhappy that the Konkomba's have no
representation in the NDC administration despite posting 12 legislators
to the current Parliament - Eight on the side of the governing NDC and
Four for the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
"His Excellency, John Mahama rewarded his own ethnic group (Gonjas)
with 12 ministerial appointments and counting…; 11 ministerial
appointments for Dagombas and zero (0) for the Konkombas, even though
for the record Konkombas are second in numerical strength (if not
first), in the Northern region and influence close to 20 parliamentary
seats in the combined Northern region, BrongAhafo and Volta North".
Source: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
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