Kejetia market tensions; Traders’ union leader acts to halt politicization:
Fear of political persuasions and undertones in the Kumasi City Market has prompted the leader of the major traders’ union to take decisive action.
Johnson Kwabena Ankrah, Chairman of the Kumasi City Market Traders Union (KCMTU), is initiating a series of engagements to address the growing issue of undue politicization by some supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Ankrah’s intervention comes amidst mounting concerns from traders who allege that some NDC party members have been behaving disruptively, claiming their party’s power justifies their actions. He fears that this could lead to chaos and undermine the market’s progress.
“We cannot allow the usual politicization characteristic of our body politics, especially when there is a change in government, to take center stage in the market,” Ankrah stated. Such a situation, according to him, if not checked, is a recipe for derailing the prospects abound in the positive initiatives being pursued to better trade and trader welfare in the market.
In addition to addressing the politicization issue, Chairman Ankrah hinted at an alarming report of an impending plan to transfer market management to a contractor – a move he vehemently opposes. He believes that this is an insult to Ghanaians and a potential setback to our competence.
Despite acknowledging the challenges facing the market, including issues with power, sanitation, individual shop meter allocation, and security, Mr. Ankrah expressed confidence in the current management team, praising their transparency. He is optimistic that, if all things are equal, traders will experience dramatic solutions to improve trading conditions in no time.
Ankrah is urging all traders to remain united and supportive of the ongoing transformational agenda, which aims to resolve the market’s pressing problems and ensure a more stable and prosperous environment for all. Following engagements with NDC supporters in the market, management, and the mayor, he is also planning to meet with regional party executives to address concerns about political interference.
