Hawkers from the newly inaugurated Flower Pot Interchange, vendors are speaking out, claiming they were promised designated spaces for their trade once the project was completed.
On November 20, authorities, led by Greater Accra Regional Minister Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, took immediate action after viral images surfaced showing hawkers selling fruits and other goods under the newly finished interchange, just a day after its launch.
The public backlash against the vendors’ presence at the location prompted the regional minister to emphasize the importance of maintaining the interchange’s intended aesthetic and functionality, free from informal trading activities.
However, several hawkers have voiced their frustration, arguing that they were assured a place to continue their businesses at the site as part of the project’s plans.
“We were promised spots under the bridge to sell,” said one vendor, expressing disappointment over the sudden eviction.
“Now, we are left with nowhere to go, and we are being treated unfairly.
”However, some hawkers have expressed their displeasure, claiming they were promised a designated area to continue their trade once the interchange was completed.
They argue that the site has been their place of business for years and are seeking clarity on their future arrangements.
“We have operated in this location for 25 years, during the administration of former President Kufuor, who did not remove us. Similarly, late former President Atta Mills and former President John Mahama also chose not to evict us.
“We are currently facing challenges in conducting sales under the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. We had previously reached agreements with the relevant authorities regarding our sales location, which was designated for us.
Although we intended to make payments to the assembly, we were advised against it and told to proceed with our business operations.
“The workers directed us to sell beneath the overhead, prompting us to take out loans to enhance our businesses.
We were optimistic during the inauguration, proudly wearing NPP t-shirts and attending to show our support, believing that a designated selling area would be allocated to us in exchange for our votes for Bawumia.
Flower Pot Interchange: “We were promised spots under the bridge to sell. While being evicted now, we plead with the government to allocate space for us, even with periodic charges,” a trader told Channel One News.#CitiNewsroom #Newsfeed
VC: @Channel1TVGHA pic.twitter.com/PGQya747MV— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) November 20, 2024
