- Traders at Kwadaso Wood Market protest high stall fees after redevelopment
- Stall spaces being sold for GHS 4,000, deemed too expensive by traders
- Traders appeal to authorities for financial relief or reduced reconstruction costs
Traders at the Kwadaso Wood Market in the Ashanti Region are appealing to authorities to address the steep cost of securing stalls following the redevelopment of the market.
According to the affected traders, spaces at the market—recently devastated by fire—are being sold for GHS 4,000. They argue that the price is unreasonably high, especially as many of them are still struggling to recover financially from the disaster.
The market has suffered two fire outbreaks within a short period, with the first occurring on January 5, followed by another just two weeks later. Due to the presence of highly flammable materials such as wood, sawdust, and chemicals used in timber processing, the fires spread rapidly, resulting in significant destruction of businesses and properties.
Many traders have yet to regain stability after their losses and say the high stall prices only add to their challenges.
“We have lost everything, and now we are being asked to pay an amount we simply cannot afford. We need help to rebuild our businesses,” one trader lamented.
They are, therefore, urging authorities to intervene by either providing financial relief or reducing the cost of reconstruction to make it easier for them to return to business.
