KMA EJECTS TRADERS FROM KEJETIA TERMINAL

The scene at the Kejetia Terminal in Kumasi this morning was that of dejection, disappointment and frustration as the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, KMA, has had to forcibly eject traders plying their businesses.

 At the time of Ashanti Today’s visited the Terminal reports that the traders were taken aback when they reported early in the morning to start their trading only to realize that the entire terminal had been barricaded amidst heavy security presence with no room for any vehicle to enter.

The measure is meant to prepare the place for actual work to start on the redevelopment of the Kejetia Terminal being the first phase of the comprehensive Central Market reconstruction project. 

Eyewitnesses told Ashanti Today that the KMA used barely two hours from about 1 am today, to complete the fence around the terminal.

As part of the fortification of the security at the place, metal containers as well as the Water Canon vehicles of the Police have been placed at the two main entry points with a number of both military and Police personnel at various vantage points to ensure total compliance with the security arrangement. 

There were also the National Ambulance Service and Kumasi City Guards in addition to the Information Services Department to complement the operation. 

The very busy and congested Terminal looked virtually empty as at 10 am except that affected traders were seen frantically evacuating their wares and tables either by themselves, head porters or the motor tricycle out of the place.

 Some of them told Radio Ghana that even though the KMA had indicated that they were going to relocate the transport operators, they did not know that yesterday was the last day of business at the Terminal adding that they were yet to identify places to continue with their businesses. 

Commuters also looked confused and disappointed not knowing precisely where their respective stations had been relocated.

 Those who usually make transit from home to work through the Terminal also expressed disgust at the sudden closure of the Terminal as they had to alight at faraway places and walk long distances in search of vehicles to their work places. 

Already, all the 24 transport operators plying their trade at the terminal have been successfully and peacefully relocated at various places within the metropolis. 

This was possible after jointly signing Memorandum of Understanding with the KMA to be assured of being giving priority in the allocation of the new Terminal upon completion of the work.

 The Public Relations Officer of the KMA, Godwin Okumah Nyame, told Ashanti Today that temporary places have been secured for the transport operators at the erstwhile Race Course, Bantama and Afua Kobi Markets while the store owners will later be relocated to other places including the Acheamfuo Plaza or Old Ahyeman Gardens to continue their businesses.