General News of Tuesday, 17 May 2005

Source: GNA

Trading at unapproved places is unacceptable - GCCI

Accra, May 17, GNA - The Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Tuesday waded into the debate on the clearing of hawkers off the pavements and the streets, saying trading at unauthorized places in the Metropolis was unacceptable and a threat to human lives. A statement signed by Mr S. Abam Quartey, President of GCCI, asked business operators to join the campaign to discourage such negative tendencies since the ability of all people was required to foster national development.
Mr Quartey also called on hawkers all over the country to cooperate with the metropolitan and district authorities in their effort at clearing the pavement and roads to enable business to thrive. The statement said the Chamber was of the view that crowding of driveways and pavements hindered smooth business and therefore welcomed the attempt to create a congenial atmosphere for business operators. The Chamber also pledged its support to President John Agyekum Kufuor's call on the metropolitan authorities to give the congestion exercise a human face.
GCCI appealed to hawkers to exercise restraint in their demand for