Traders at Kejetia market which portions got burnt on Wednesday have served notice they would disregard a directive by the board of directors of the Kumasi City Market asking them to stay out of the market.
After the fire that gutted some shops, management decided to temporarily close down the entire shop, for three days.
But after an emergency meeting held on Friday, March 17, the board says “there is the need to assess the electromechanical and other safety installations as well as the structural integrity of the affected area before granting access to patrons”.
As a result, the non-affected area of the facility is to be closed down for a further one week from Monday, March 20 while the affected area is to be closed down indefinitely.
A statement issued by the board noted, “The general public is therefore advised to strictly adhere to the above measures in order to safeguard lives and property.”
But the traders have also issued a statement on Sunday to reject the decision by the management of the facility.
Under the umbrella body, Combined Traders Association of Kumasi City Markets Kejatia, the group said, “we wish to categorically state that we disagree with this [closure] vehemently”.
The statement added, “Let no one take we traders and transport operators for granted. It’s very clear since the board has a constant source of living they don’t care what source of livelihood the traders and transport operators depend on.
“Well, we wish to serve notice to the public that Kejatia will be opened for trading on Monday. We will not accept the further one week closure.”
The group blamed management’s negligence as the cause of the fire outbreak.
It said there have been numerous warnings from the Ghana National Fire Service but were not adhered to, and asked, “What is the board trying to hide from the public? Is it their incompetence or ineptitude or their reluctant to act and supervise effectively when they needed to do so?”
The traders are concerned about losing their customers to competition as well as loss of income.
“We are by this release calling on all traders and transport operators to come to work tomorrow Monday 20th March 2023, no one should stay home. Everyone should come along with red bans.”