Onion traders at Kwadaso in Kumasi are worried they will lose their trading space to a private developer. 

The over 4000 members say they could lose their jobs if the local authority fails to protect their interest. 

Secretary to the onion traders, John Amos, described the approach adopted by the authorities as unfair.

He wants the authorities to reconsider the move. 

At the time the news team got to the market, work had already begun on the land.

Secretary to the onion sellers, John Amos, says some sub-chiefs from Kwadaso had approached them to explain the land is being sold.

“We have been here for a long time, until two years ago, when the chiefs told us they wanted to sell the land. They told us it would cost 700 thousand Ghana cedis. They agreed to take us to Otumfour so that we could pay for the land, but we never met him.

We couldn’t also pay the money without meeting him,” he said.

He is, however, surprised at the sudden turn of events of excavator works to clear the land.

“Suddenly, we saw excavator works on the land. At least, if you want to evict us, we should get notice so that we can find ways. We are pleading with Otumfour to help us. We are about 4000 members,” Mr Amos added.

The traders have tried unsuccessfully to discuss the matter further.

The onion traders are unhappy about the situation.

“We are pleading with Otumfour because we have children that depend on us for their educational needs. This is where we get our daily bread. Now, vehicles can’t come here to offload onions,” one of the traders told JoyNews.

They are therefore appealing to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to help resolve the issue.

In 2011, the onion dealers were moved from the Race Course by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to the Kwadaso market.

Attempts to speak to the Municipal Chief Executive proved futile.