The Ghana Railway Development Authority has defended its decision to relocate some traders operating on a portion of land at Santana Market in Accra, insisting that the disputed area is not part of the government’s 24-hour economy market project.
The Authority’s response follows a press conference by some traders who accused its management of attempting to evict them from an area they alleged had been earmarked for the government’s 24-hour economy market initiative.
The traders also raised concerns about the relocation exercise and reportedly threatened to demonstrate against the decision.
However, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Dr. Frederick Appoh, has rejected the suggestion that the disputed land forms part of the 24-hour economy market project, explaining that the land has instead been earmarked for a separate investment.
According to him, all portions of Railway Authority land designated for the government’s 24-hour economy markets have already been identified and documented, and the Santana Market site in question is not among them.
Dr. Appoh said the affected portion of land belongs to the Authority and has been earmarked for an investor who intends to undertake development works, including the construction of a perimeter wall.
He stressed that the relocation directive does not affect the entire Santana Market but concerns only a small number of traders occupying the specific area required for the planned investment.
Some Traders Have Received Compensation
Dr. Appoh said approximately 12 traders had initially been identified as occupying the affected area, adding that the Authority had engaged the leadership of the market association to resolve the matter.
He said the discussions involved the association’s leadership, including its president and secretary, as part of efforts to secure an amicable resolution.
Records from the Authority’s Director of Estate Mr Kofi Amissah, indicate that some of the affected traders have signed the necessary documents and received compensation, while others are yet to complete the process.
The CEO explained that the Authority had offered to explore compensation arrangements to support the affected traders in relocating, although they did not hold leases formally granting them rights to occupy the land.
He maintained that the Authority was not seeking to disrupt trading activities across the market but was addressing the occupation of a specific portion required for the proposed development.
“We are not asking everybody in the market to leave. The majority of the traders are still operating normally. It is only a few people occupying the portion of land required for the development,” he said.
Dr. Appoh added that some traders had already packed their belongings and vacated the site, while others were yet to comply with the relocation request.
Authority Appeals for Peaceful Relocation
The CEO explained that the investor needed access to the site to construct a perimeter wall and proceed with the planned development.
He appealed to the remaining traders to cooperate with the Authority and resolve any outstanding issues through dialogue rather than confrontation.
According to him, the Authority remains willing to engage the affected traders and facilitate discussions on compensation and relocation arrangements.
Dr. Appoh described the traders as mothers and sisters who deserved to be treated with respect, stressing that management preferred a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
He urged those who had not completed the necessary arrangements to visit the Authority’s offices to discuss outstanding issues, receive any agreed compensation and remove their containers from the site.
Railway Authority Warns of Possible Eviction
Dr. Appoh warned that the Authority could be compelled to take steps to evict traders who continued to occupy the land if efforts to secure a peaceful resolution failed.
He, however, maintained that the Authority’s preference was to avoid confrontation and allow the traders to relocate peacefully.
He also disclosed plans to engage the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly to help address the situation and facilitate the relocation process.
The CEO said the Authority could not allow disputes over the occupation of its land to indefinitely delay development projects intended to support its operations.
He urged the remaining traders to cooperate with management and complete the necessary arrangements to allow the investor to proceed with the project.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
