Traders at the Tamale Central Market Protest TaMA’s Demolition Exercise

Traders at the Tamale Central Market are aggrieved over the ongoing demolition exercise undertaken by the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly’s Taskforce, accusing the Assembly of a lack of compassion and sympathy in enforcing the exercise.

Speaking to the Media, the traders described the demolition activity as a selective exercise, accusing the Taskforce of deliberately targeting some shop owners while leaving others whose stores encroached on the designated routes within the market following the creation of store extensions, which is deemed illegal.

The traders have therefore threatened to vote against the NDC government in the 2028 elections if the exercise is not reversed, as it will negatively affect their businesses and livelihoods. They also accused the Mayor of Tamale of being a mastermind behind the exercise after assurances that their businesses would not be affected following a series of engagements.

In an interview with the P.R.O of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Amadu Mustapha Zakali, he stated that the exercise is aimed at creating access routes within the market to enable vehicular moment from Ghana Fire Service in times of emergency, adding that it is primarily carried out for their own interest and safety.

Mr. Mustapha Zakali also dispels allegations that the Assembly is targeting some shop owners, stressing that the Taskforce is only doing its job by destroying only marked extension stores.