The slow speed of trade in the face of growing hostilities between families vying for land ownership worries vendors in Kumasi’s Acheamfuor market.
They express shock at how the continuous conflict is affecting their companies.
They claim that consumers aren’t coming to the market to buy their items because of the uncertainties around land ownership.
They pointed out that the state of affairs has impacted market upkeep, as evidenced by the locked restrooms and declining hygiene.
The market acts as a gathering place for a variety of merchants and carriers who deliver goods to various parts of the nation. A station master named Jacob Bafo discusses the grave circumstances in an interview with Citi News.
“If not for the disturbances here, this bus would have been full by now, but because of the disturbances, passengers are even scared to come here and board the bus, so our businesses have been badly affected. We pray that all these will end so that we can go about our activities” he said.
The station chairman, Gyamfi Gideon, emphasized the sharp drop in patronage and the escalating sanitary problems.
“Ever since this tension started, our businesses have been very slow. There has been a reduction in the number of passengers who come here to board our buses. The market is also battling with filth; things are just not moving well since this tension started” he noted
Another driver in the market, Stephen Amo Boahen, revealed the difficulties caused by the restroom closures.
“Our washrooms here are all locked due to the incident, and this is really affecting those of us who operate here. Now, visiting the washroom is a big challenge. We are calling on relevant authorities to intervene” he appealed.
