Mankessim Traders Protest Demolition Plan, Urge Completion of Abandoned Market Project First

Concerned Traders Association, Mankessim in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region have strongly opposed plans by the Municipal Assembly to demolish sections of the existing market to pave the way for the construction of new lockable stores.

The aggrieved trader group, speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, described the Assembly’s decision as unfair, premature, and insensitive to their livelihoods. According to them, the directive to relocate or vacate their current trading spaces comes at a time when an earlier market development project in the area remains incomplete.

They are therefore calling on the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Eric Stanley Acquah and the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly to prioritise the completion of the stalled market project before embarking on any new construction initiatives.

Benjamin Blay, Chairman for Concerned Traders Association

“We cannot understand why authorities would abandon an uncompleted projects and attempt to displace traders for a new one. This will only worsen our already difficult conditions,” a spokespersons for the traders said.

Auntie Aggie, President of the Association 

The traders further lamented the lack of basic social amenities at the market, including inadequate sanitation facilities, poor drainage systems, and limited access to potable water. They argued that these long-standing challenges have negatively impacted both trading activities and public health in the area.

Mankessim Market, widely regarded as one of the busiest commercial hubs in the Central Region and a key trading centre in West Africa, attracts thousands of traders and customers daily. The traders insist that improving existing infrastructure should be the immediate priority, rather than introducing new projects that could disrupt economic activity.

They have therefore appealed to the Assembly to engage stakeholders through dialogue and adopt a more inclusive approach in addressing market development concerns.

The Concerned Traders Association in Mankessim also warned that any attempt to forcibly evict traders without proper consultation and provision of alternative arrangements could lead to unrest and further disrupt local commerce.