Calm has returned to the Kantamanto market after a combined team of police and military personnel last night fired warning shots and tear gas to disperse rioting traders.
The traders, who vowed to prevent city authorities from taking over the burnt market, set fire to lorry tires, wooden structures and blocked all entrances to the market.
Joy News’ Manasseh Azure Awuni who was at the scene described the incident as “a battle to take control of Kantamanto”.
Hundreds of angry traders swore to prevent the police from taking over the market, he reported, were afraid that if reconstructed by government, the stalls in the market will be sold out to other traders at ridiculously high prices.
The Accra Regional Police Commander DCOP Christian Tettey Yohuno – who led the team of personnel to restore calm – stated that the angry traders “…have turned against the police, throwing stones at [us].
Some of the traders also set ablaze a Metro Mass Bus, he added.
DCOP Tettey Yohuno stated that the about 10 men who were arrested during the incident will be investigated and put before court soon.