The Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly has demolished a section of the Kasoa Old Market to make way for a planned redevelopment project.

The early-morning exercise affected about 800 traders who operated from temporary sheds, as well as several hundred more who conducted business within the affected area.

Despite prior warnings from authorities, some traders insist there was no clear or definitive communication regarding the timing and extent of the demolition.

Many of the affected traders have also rejected the alternative trading site provided by the Assembly, describing the Iron City Market as unsuitable for their operations.

However, the Assembly maintains that the Iron City Market remains a viable option for relocation.

Speaking to Citi News, an officer at the Assembly, Rahman Abdul Mohammed, said the traders had been adequately informed ahead of the exercise.Breaking news alert

Authorities further indicated that measures have been put in place to prevent traffic congestion within the Kasoa Central Business District during the demolition process.

Some traders, however, expressed frustration over the development, accusing authorities of unfair treatment.

“The NDC have not treated us fairly, especially Naa Koryoo. We heard she would demolish this area when she was campaigning. We asked her, but she denied it. She has disappointed us hugely. My capital is not even up to GH¢1,000. How can I raise GH¢100,000 to rent a stall? Our vote for her has brought no benefit to us,” a petty trader, Eric, lamented.

Another trader, Akosua, said the notice given was too short.

“They announced to us yesterday morning that they were going to demolish the structure. The Iron City Market is not an appropriate place for us. A child drowned in floods there recently. Authorities visited and agreed improvements were needed, but nothing has been done yet,” she said.

A patron and member of the Kasoa Petty Traders Association, Samuel Fosu, also raised concerns about space constraints at the alternative market.

“The Iron City Market is already occupied. The people there say there’s no space for us. We’ve gone to the Ministry and even the NDC headquarters, but nobody intervened for us. Now they have come to demolish the structure. I have seven children, and this is where I earn my livelihood,” he stated.

The demolition forms part of the Assembly’s broader redevelopment agenda for the Kasoa Old Market, though concerns remain over the immediate impact on affected traders.