A social policy expert has criticised the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly over its handling of the redevelopment of the Old Kasoa Market, following the displacement of hundreds of traders.
Associate Professor Nana Akua Anyidoho of the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) said the process raises serious concerns about planning, consultation and the protection of livelihoods.
More than 800 traders were displaced after a demolition exercise carried out to pave the way for a modern market project in Kasoa. While traders say they were not given prior notice, authorities have denied the claim.
Speaking to Citi News on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Asso. Professor Anyidoho questioned whether adequate engagement had taken place before the exercise.
“Let’s be real here. We have known these modernization projects that end up actually displacing the people who were originally there and giving the new modern space to new people,” she said.
She stressed that authorities should have prioritised dialogue and consensus-building with traders before proceeding.
“A process needs to go on where you convince them that this is good for them, where you convince them that this actually will benefit them, where you talk to leadership, where you come to an agreement,” she added.
The professor also raised concerns about the absence of clear interim measures to protect traders’ incomes, noting the daily nature of their work.
“While you are disrupting their work, and please let’s realize we all know these are people who work day to day to make a living. They don’t have monthly salaries. If they don’t work a day, they don’t make money for that day. What is your plan for making sure that their livelihoods… are not disrupted?” she asked.
She further questioned the suitability of the proposed relocation site, the Iron City Market, saying traders have complained about inadequate space.
“This new place that they want to put them… they are claiming that it doesn’t have enough space. So just from the end result of this chaotic nature that this has taken, I am convinced that the process and the planning cannot have been done well,” she said.
