Madina hawkers Caution Gov’t over decongestion Exerccise in Accra

Story By: Deborah Adorsu

Roadside hawkers in Madina have sent a bold message to President John Dramani Mahama amid the ongoing decongestion drive.

The hawkers say they are unhappy with the exercise, which has seen traders removed from pavements, bus stops and other unauthorised spaces in Accra.

They have threatened to vote against the President if the decongestion continues without providing them with alternative trading spaces.

Some of the hawkers also declared that even if they are driven away today, they will be right back on the streets tomorrow.

They argue that hawking is their only source of livelihood, and they have no other means of feeding their families.

According to them, they have nowhere else to go, and the markets provided by the authorities are either too far, too expensive or do not attract enough customers.

They are therefore calling on the President and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to provide them with proper and affordable trading spaces before enforcing the decongestion.

They insist that without an alternative, the exercise will not stop them from returning to the streets.