Tensions flared at the Kejetia Market in Kumasi as traders clashed with a task force from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) during an ongoing decongestion exercise aimed at removing unauthorised sellers from the facility.

The operation, initiated by city authorities to restore order at the market, was met with stiff resistance from traders, resulting in chaotic scenes as enforcement officers attempted to evict those operating outside designated spaces.

The Kejetia Market has in recent months become a focal point of concern, with the Federation of Kumasi Traders warning of severe overcrowding.

According to the group, the facility currently accommodates more than 3,300 additional traders beyond its intended capacity, raising safety concerns.

The traders have also cited structural defects within the market, describing the situation as a potential “death trap” if not urgently addressed.

• Read also: Kejetia Market now a ‘death trap’ – Federation of Kumasi Traders warns

City authorities, however, maintain that the decongestion exercise is necessary to ensure safety, improve accessibility, and restore sanity within the market.

Despite these assurances, many traders have refused to comply with eviction directives, leading to confrontations with officials on the ground.

JoyNews' correspondent, Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe, who was at the scene, reported that the situation quickly escalated as traders pushed back against the task force, disrupting the operation.