Traders Rush For Space At Kasoa Market

By Stephen Effah, Kasoa
Saturday, 04 March 2006

THERE is now a rush for space at the New Kasoa Market following the demolition of the old market on Tuesday by the Awutu-Efutu-Senya District Assembly.

When the Times visited Kasoa yesterday, some traders were preparing places to display their wares while others had brought in their containers. Those who had already acquired sheds had displayed their goods for sale.

Traders already at the new market expressed delight that their colleagues from the old market were acquiring spaces at the new place.

However, they said there could be confusion as some of the new traders had come to occupy places already acquired by others.

Some traders who spoke to the Times lauded the demolition exercise and urged all traders to come to the new market.

One trader, Elizabeth Amanyo, observed that although sales had not picked up as much as anticipated after the demolition she was hopeful things would normalize soon.

She called for more warehouses in the new market to enable all the traders to convey their goods to and from the market each day.

Akua Serwaa Mansah said that because of the high transport fares some buyers were not coming to the new market to shop.

She also called on the district assembly authorities to ensure that traders coming to the new market do not occupy places that have been already acquired.

A member of the Odupong Kpehe Urban Council, .Samuel Sasu, explained that all the new traders were being given temporary places at no cost to sell their goods while a new area is being prepared for them.

He therefore assured every trader who may come to the new market of a place.

He said that so far there has not been any official complaint of traders occupying sheds that had been acquired by other people and advised the traders to report any incident that may bring confusion to the council.

He said he was hopeful that by next week all the traders from the old market would have come to the new market.

Meanwhile, people were still sifting through the rubble at the old market site for undestroyed goods at the time the Times team got there.

Metal scraps dealers were also cutting metal products from the demolished shops while other people were removing building blocks and roofing sheets that were not destroyed.

There was a heavy police presence although everything seemed calm.