Some Traders in the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern region predominantly supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party, (NPP), have embarked on a massive demonstration against the Municipal Chief Executive, Comfort Asante for preventing them from selling on the streets without an alternate market.
The demonstrators, clad in red and black dresses, with red headgear and armbands hoisted several placards expressing their disappointment and calling for the head of the MCE.
The New Juaben Municipal Assembly has been embarking on a decongestion exercise, sacking hawkers from the streets of Koforidua and confiscating their goods to clear pavements and streets of the municipality.
However, the demonstrators believe the move is detrimental to their livelihood considering the fact that, the assembly has failed to provide a convenient market place for them while Christmas approaches.
The traders fear they will incur debt if they are prohibited from selling goods purchased with loans for retail for the Christmas market demand.
They accused the MCE of sabotaging the President because her action is contrary to promises given them by the NPP during the 2016 election that the party will support small Scale businesses and provide the needed business friendly environment for them to flourish.
The demonstrators converged at the Koforidua Jackson Park, marched to the Municipal Assembly but were denied entry to petition the MCE.
The demonstrators diverted to the Regional Coordinating Council to petition the Eastern regional Minister after they were blocked from petitioning the MCE.
The demonstrators are led by a popular NPP activist T.K Aboagye.
In an earlier letter written for permit from Police, the concerned traders stated that “we the undersigned members of the NPP wish to inform you our demonstration against the MCE at Koforidua on 7/12/2017 (December 7, 2017)”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
