Dealers in second-hand clothes at Pentwawala in the New Juaben municipality of the Eastern Region have rejected an offer to have them relocated into the newly refurbished sheds in the central business area.
The traders used to be close to the Koforidua mosque but had to be moved to Pentwawala two years ago for the construction of new sheds.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Comfort Asante, recently asked them to move into the new sheds.
But the dealers on Monday wore red to protest the MCE’s directive. They also refused to engage in any business.
They want to stay at their current location till the Christmas period is over.
They argue that staying in Pentwawala will enable them to make sales to retire their loans and prepare better to relocate into their new sheds.
A total of 103 sheds, which they say is not disability-friendly, have been given out to the second-hand dealers.
Their chairman, Thomas Yeboah, pleaded on their behalf.
“We are pleading with the MCE and the Regional Minister, they should allow us stay here for a while.”
Asked why, he said: “We have stayed here for two years than the eight months period they promised us. Our customers may not find us at our new place. We will lose business, Christmas is our peak period.”
One of the traders, Tina Trever, who has been selling there for years before giving birth to her four kids, expressed fears “we may not make sales if we move to the new place”.
By Yvonne Neequaye|3news.com|Koforidua, E/R|Ghana