Kumasi drivers protest against sale of Prime Land

Hundreds of residents, commercial drivers and traders in Tafo, yesterday took to the street to demonstrate against an intended sale of a piece of land currently being used as a transport station.

The demonstration by the drivers and the traders followed reports that city authorities intend to sell the land for the construction of a bank, instead of the original purpose of ensuring free vehicular movement on the road.

The various unions moved to the terminal to ease traffic and allow free flow of vehicles on the traffic-prone Tafo-Mampong road stretch, but reports that the site has been sold to a financial institution for the establishment of a bank has angered the traders, who have sworn heaven and earth to prevent authorities from taking over the site.

The protest virtually brought vehicular movement on the busy road to a halt, compelling commuters to trek on foot to their business destinations.

The angry demonstrators marched from Tafo, through to Kejetia, wielding placards with various inscriptions, before heading to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the Manhyia Palace to present a petition to the Regional Minister and the Asantehene respectively.

They said their eviction from the site will not only affect their socio-economic livelihood but will also increase traffic congestion, which authorities are struggling to contain on the road.

They indicated that they would be left with no choice but to occupy the main road, a situation which they warned, could set them on collision cause against the police.

They are, therefore, pleading with the Regional Minister and the Asantehene to call city authorities to order and stop them from taking such a decision.