Traders at Asafo market stage demo over recent floods
Traders at the Asafo market in the Ashanti Region are outraged against authorities over what they describe as siting of illegal structures on waterways within the market.
The enraged sellers explained their demonstration was linked to the recent floods at the trading hub.
In last week’s downpour, the market was not spared as many shop owners had their wares destroyed in floods.
The traders accused city authorities of issuing permits to a private developer to erect hundreds of shops attached to the already existing Asafo market.
Leader of the angry traders Isaac Owusu said the major cause of the floods resulted from the developer’s activities.
“We have lived and worked here at Asafo market for more than 20 years and this is the first time we are experiencing such floods at the market and this is because of the shops they are building,” he told Akoma FM on Monday, June 28,
READ ALSO: Kumasi Central Market Floods: Choked Drains ‘Vomit’ Garbage After Downpour
After spewing their frustration, the traders, clad in red bands, marched through entry and exit points of the market threatening to suspend payments of market levies should authorities not pull down such structures.
Meanwhile, the said developer is yet to comment on the numerous allegations levelled against him.
Toddler dies in Kumasi floods
A toddler was killed during the downpour, which affected Sawaba on June 22.
The two-year-old boy was travelling with his mother on a tricycle, popularly known as ‘Pragya’.
However, they got stuck and decided to continue their journey on foot, but the boy was swept away by floods.
Several areas, including Kejetia, were submerged in floods leading to the destruction of properties worth millions.