The First Vice President of the Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA), Clement Boateng, has appealed to the Gbese Mantse II to exercise leniency towards traders affected by the recent Kantamanto Market fire.
He urged the paramount chief to allow the traders to temporarily erect wooden structures to sustain their livelihoods while awaiting long-term redevelopment plans.
The appeal follows a directive from the Gbese Mantse, cautioning traders against rebuilding their stalls with wooden structures, as the market’s redevelopment is expected to be handed over to investors for proper reconstruction.
Speaking to traders after donating GH¢40,000 on behalf of GUTA to the leadership of the Kantamanto Traders Association, Clement Boateng emphasized the urgent need for a balance between immediate relief for the traders and the long-term vision for the market’s redevelopment.
He called for collaborative efforts to address the pressing needs of the affected traders while ensuring adherence to future development plans.
“We want to appeal to our chief, the Gbese Mantse, to temper mercy with justice and deal leniently with our people here. We know that the land belongs to them, but we also know that our people have some contractual agreements with Railways.
“So all the factions must come together to settle this issue amicably while they put these structures temporarily to continue with their economic activities to make a living.
“I know that all that I’ve said here will be taken into good faith so that our brothers will not be found wanting.”
