In the aftermath of Thursday's devastating fire that claimed one life and destroyed over 7,000 shops at Kantamanto Market in Accra, the Kantamanto Traders Association has expressed disappointment with the Gbese Stool’s stern warning against the use of wooden materials for rebuilding the market.

During a press conference on Saturday, 4th January, the Gbese Stool issued a firm directive to traders, advising them against using wooden structures for the reconstruction, citing their ownership of the land.

In an interactive interview with the chairman of the traders association Mr Samuel Amoah, probing why they have started reconstruction despite the warning from the Gbese stool, he said that he acknowledges the Stool's rightful ownership of the land. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the tone and timing of the warning, stressing that the traders had not expected such a strong stance at this point in the rebuilding process.

“We understand and respect the fact that the Gbese Stool owns the land,” Mr Amoah said. “However, we did not expect such a firm approach at this stage. After the fire, the traders are already dealing with significant losses and hardship, and we were hoping for more understanding and compassion from the Stool.”

Despite their disappointment, Mr Amoah reassured that the Traders Association remains committed to finding a solution through dialogue and cooperation. He confirmed that the leadership of the association would meet with the Gbese Stool representatives to discuss the matter further.

“The leadership will meet with the Gbese Stool representatives today,” Mr Amoah explained. “What I can say for certain is that there has been an agreement and lease in place for over 50 years. This project was not initiated by us, but by Ghana Railways, who I believe represent the government.

If there are any concerns, we are willing to meet with the chiefs, and if necessary, apologise for not approaching them sooner. At that point, the government may intervene. I hope the government will take a more active role in resolving this issue.”

MrAmoah went on to emphasize the legal aspect of land ownership in the country, stating, “While the Gbese Stool is the rightful landowner, it is also well understood that all land in Ghana is ultimately vested in the hands of the government.

We respect their ownership and hold them in high regard. However, we believe that through dialogue, we can reach a solution that is beneficial to all parties involved.”

In response to a question from JoyNews' reporter regarding whether the traders were prepared to vacate the market, Mr Amoah made it clear that they would not leave unless proper arrangements for their relocation were in place.

“The most disheartening aspect of this situation,” Mr Amoah continued, “is that, at such a critical time, I expected the Gbese Stool to show more empathy.

The traders have already suffered immense losses, and many are facing hardship. Rather than issuing a stern warning, the Stool should have approached us with understanding. We need to come together, assess the situation, and find a solution that works for everyone.”

Mr Amoah further added, “The traders are still here because there is no clear plan for their relocation. We cannot leave until a proper arrangement is made. While the Gbese Stool has the right to issue their warning, the timing is unfortunate. We respect their position, and we are willing to apologise and engage in further dialogue to find a way forward.”

Mr Amoah also pointed out that both President Mahama and representatives from the current NPP government have visited the market, which highlights the importance of the issue at the national level. “We have had visits from both political sides, which shows that this matter is being taken seriously,” he said.

“The Gbese Stool should have clarified their position earlier, before the traders began rebuilding. To accuse us now, after everything we’ve been through, is disheartening. Nevertheless, we remain committed to finding a solution together ”he concluded.