Traders at Agbogbloshie have appealed to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to reconsider its August 28, 2026, deadline for them to vacate parts of the market earmarked for redevelopment.

The traders said they were not opposed to the development and renovation of the market but wanted the authorities to engage them properly and provide adequate time and alternative spaces for affected traders.

Speaking to GhanaWeb on Thursday, August 13, 2026, some of the traders said they were concerned about the uncertainty surrounding the planned redevelopment and its potential impact on their livelihoods.

One trader clarified that the planned exercise would not affect the entire market.

“I am not part of the affected traders. They are not demolishing the entire market; they are taking part of it,” the trader said.

Another trader acknowledged the need for improvements at the market, particularly because of the flooding situation whenever it rains.

“Whenever it rains, this place gets flooded. If it rains and a customer wants to come and buy something, they cannot access the market. So, we agree that the market needs to be renovated,” the trader said.

However, some traders expressed reservations about the proposed redevelopment, particularly the plan to introduce a 24-hour economy market at the location.

AMA gives Agbogbloshie traders August 28 deadline to vacate

“The AMA wants to renovate the place, but we do not want any 24-hour economy market at Agbogbloshie. We do not want it here. He can take it elsewhere. We at the Nzema Market do not want it, and we appeal to him to rescind the decision,” another trader said.

For some of the affected traders, the major concern is not the redevelopment itself but the lack of adequate notice and clarity on where they would be relocated.

“Development is good, but the problem is that we should have been informed in advance. Where are we going to relocate to? We need enough time, and there should be a list of the affected traders for relocation,” a trader said.

Another trader appealed to the government to reconsider the decision, stressing that many of them have depended on the market for their livelihoods for several years.

“We voted for the NDC, and we have been trading here for a very long time. We want the government to rescind its decision because we have nowhere to go,” the trader said.

The traders are therefore calling for further engagement with the AMA and the government before the August 28 deadline, saying a clear relocation plan would help prevent them from losing their source of income.

While they acknowledge the need for development at Agbogbloshie, the traders insist that the process should take their livelihoods and concerns into consideration.

NA/MA

AROUND TOWN: Agbogbloshie traders react to August 28 deadline to vacate market