Traders at the Santana Market in Tesano, Accra, have appealed to the government to intervene in a land dispute involving a portion of land they occupy and which they say has been earmarked for a proposed market under the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.
The traders have raised concerns over the status of the land, alleging that portions of the site could be transferred to private interests, a development they fear could affect the proposed market project and their livelihoods.
They are calling for clarification from the relevant authorities on the ownership of the disputed land, the boundaries of the proposed market site and the arrangements governing the planned development.
The concerns come amid an evacuation directive issued to traders occupying the area by the Ghana Railway Authority.
Railway Authority Defends Evacuation Directive
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Authority, Dr. Frederick Appoh, has defended the Authority’s position, stating that the affected traders have been given notice to vacate the land following engagements with them.
According to him, some of the traders have already left the area, leaving a few who are still protesting against the planned evacuation.
Dr. Appoh indicated that traders who agree to vacate the land would be compensated, urging those remaining to accept the arrangement and allow the Authority to proceed with its development plans.
He maintained that the Authority required revenue to support its developmental agenda and would not allow the actions of a few individuals to obstruct its plans.
Dr. Appoh also warned that the traders could face forced removal if they failed to comply with the evacuation notice.
The CEO has asked for further engagement at his office, where records relating to the matter and the Authority’s official position are expected to be sought for clarification.
Further details are therefore being pursued from the Authority to establish the circumstances surrounding the disputed land, the evacuation directive and the concerns raised by the traders.
Traders Question Land Arrangements
Speaking at a press conference, Robert Brew Roggenston, a trader at Santana Market, said the traders supported the proposed 24-hour economy market but were concerned about developments surrounding the land they currently occupy.
According to him, the local assembly had demarcated land for the proposed market, but the Railway Authority subsequently asserted ownership over a wider area, including a portion the traders believe was intended for the development.
The traders are seeking clarification on whether any portion of the disputed site has been sold, leased or otherwise transferred to private interests.
They fear that uncertainty surrounding the land could affect the implementation of the proposed market and threaten the livelihoods of people who depend on the area for their daily income.
Mr. Roggenston has appealed to the government and the media to investigate the matter and ensure that the status of the land is established before further development takes place.
He also alleged that a railway official had previously threatened him during discussions about the dispute and made reference to national security. The allegation has not been independently verified.
While Dr. Appoh has maintained that the Authority is engaging the traders and is prepared to compensate those who leave, the concerns raised at the press conference require further clarification.
The Ghana Railway Authority’s records and official response are expected to provide further insight into the land arrangements, the basis for the evacuation directive and the relationship between the Authority’s development plans and the proposed market project.
Further engagement with the Authority, including its estates department, is expected to help establish the facts surrounding the disputed land and address the concerns raised by the traders.
For now, the traders are calling for government intervention and greater clarity on the future of the site, while the Railway Authority maintains that the evacuation is necessary to advance its development agenda.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
