The ongoing demolition of part of the Kasoa Old Market by the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly has reignited tensions between authorities and traders, as long-planned redevelopment efforts clash with immediate livelihood concerns.
Officials, represented by Municipal Physical Planning Officer Stephen Kakraba, defended the exercise as part of a 2019 initiative to replace temporary sheds with permanent, modern market stores aimed at improving hygiene, reducing congestion, and structuring the central business district.
“The aim is to transform the entire CBD into a well-organized market. Sheds that occupy space and generate refuse cannot remain,” Mr. Kakraba explained, noting that extensive consultations were held prior to commencement and that resistance is a predictable outcome in redevelopment projects.
Despite these assurances, many traders have voiced strong objections, criticizing the proposed temporary relocation site at Iron City Market as unsuitable, citing limited space and poor conditions. Some traders also expressed frustration over the timing and perceived lack of clarity in communications regarding the demolition.
The Assembly maintains that the Iron City Market is a practical interim solution while the old market undergoes redevelopment, emphasizing that the long-term goal is a modern commercial environment that benefits both traders and consumers.
The clash highlights the delicate balance between urban development ambitions and protecting the livelihoods of small-scale traders, a challenge facing local authorities across growing urban centers in Ghana.
