The Ashanti Car Dealers Association has appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene in what they describe as the unfair treatment by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) of its members operating along the roadside from Ahodwo Roundabout to Santasi Roundabout.
The Association says KMA’s ongoing evacuation exercise, tied to the dual carriageway project on the stretch, has left many of its members without an alternative place to conduct business and has sparked frustration among affected dealers.
Addressing a press conference in Kumasi, Secretary of the Association, Davis Acheampong, described the actions of the KMA taskforce as unfair and premature.
According to him, KMA had issued several notices to occupants along the stretch and had promised to secure an alternative location for affected traders, including car dealers.
However, Mr. Acheampong alleged that while the Assembly has begun demolishing structures and forcing dealers to move their vehicles, while no alternative site has been provided.
“We are not against the road construction project. We are law-abiding citizens and we respect development. All we are asking for is a place to move to so that our livelihoods are not destroyed in the process.” Mr. Acheampong said.
He said the Association started engaging the Assembly about two years ago, when discussions on the road project began, with the hope of securing a new location. He added that those engagements have not yielded any results.
Mr. Acheampong disclosed that the Association has identified a parcel of land belonging to the Forestry Commission that is currently vacant.
The Association is therefore appealing to the Asantehene to intervene and help secure the land temporarily for its members to continue their business while the road project is ongoing.
“When discussions on the project started two years ago, we knew we would have to vacate. We engaged KMA and even proposed a vacant Forestry Commission land at Ahodwo Roundabout with a site plan. But the Mayor has failed to secure it for us as a temporary place,” he said.
“We are therefore appealing to the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene and help us secure that place for temporary use,” he said.”
Some of the affected car dealers who spoke to the media expressed frustration over the development, saying the sudden demolitions and evictions have disrupted their livelihoods and sales.
“We are aware that before a contractor begins work, the government is supposed to compensate affected persons. Officials came to take our details, but we have not received any compensation. We held back from agitating because KMA assured us they would provide an alternative location. However, we have received neither compensation nor a place to relocate to, yet the Assembly has started demolishing our structures and asking us to move our vehicles,” said Desmond Tutu, a car dealer.
Another local car dealer, Atta Poku, has voiced deep concern over the potential collapse of his business, warning that its closure would have far-reaching effects on the local economy.
Mr. Poku explained that his business contributes significantly to government revenue through taxes and provides employment for several people in the community. He cautioned that shutting down would not only lead to job losses but also reduce economic activity in the area.
He has therefore appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene and help address the challenges threatening his operations.
“If I lose my business, all of my staff will be laid off,” he lamented.
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