Bimbilla Member of Parliament (MP), Dominic Nitiwul, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in plans by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to demolish parts of the Agbogbloshie market for a proposed 24-hour economy market.
Mr Nitiwul said the planned exercise could affect shops and sleeping areas used by traders and questioned why the section occupied by Konkomba traders appeared to be the focus of the demolition.
He alleged that structures marked for demolition were concentrated around the area where Konkomba traders operate, while other sections of the market had not been similarly marked.
“What did they do that you have decided to come to the centre where the Kokombas?” he asked.
The MP said the affected area stretched between two bridges and constituted the central portion of the market where the Konkomba community conducts its trading activities.
He expressed concern that the proposed exercise could disrupt the livelihoods of traders who depend on the market for their income.
“You’ve marked every store in the market to be demolished, you have also marked where they also sleep to be demolished and left every other person,” he said.
Mr Nitiwul questioned the basis for the exercise and asked whether the affected traders had committed any wrongdoing to warrant what he described as selective treatment.
“What crime have they committed? Are they not Ghanaians? So why? Why are they being targeted?” he asked.
He subsequently appealed directly to President Mahama to halt the planned demolition and engage the Accra Metropolitan Assembly over the concerns of the affected traders.
“So Mr President, stop your mayor. Mr President, let him stop targeting the Konkomba tribe,” he said.
Mr Nitiwul also argued that if the government was unable to redevelop the area in a manner that allowed the Konkomba traders to continue their businesses, the proposed project should be reconsidered.
“If you cannot help develop the market for the Kokombas to sell their yams, stop. Another president will come and do it. They are not moving tomorrow,” he said.
The comments come as the AMA pursues plans to reorganise parts of Agbogbloshie, including areas occupied by traders, as part of efforts linked to the proposed 24-hour economy market. The Assembly has previously engaged affected occupants over relocation arrangements.
The controversy has generated debate over how the redevelopment should be implemented, particularly regarding the relocation of affected traders and the protection of livelihoods during the process.
Mr Nitiwul’s intervention adds political pressure for the authorities to address concerns surrounding the exercise before proceeding with the proposed demolition.
