Traders at Opera Square are in conflict with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) over the latter's decision to evict them.

According to the AMA, the location of the various stores violates Section 106 (1) of the Local Government Act.

The Assembly insists on permits by Friday, December 8 or a complete removal of the shops for non-compliance.

However, the traders say the action by AMA is unlawful.

A spokesperson for the affected traders, Peter Kalley revealed that there was no prior notice by the AMA of its plan to demolish and rebuild on the land.

“They didn’t have any meeting with us. We have a contract with Metro Mass, they rented their place out to us, so we have a contract with them and we have paid our rent and everything to them.

“So if anything like that, we've been the tenant of the metro mass, they should have given us information or something like that. Now when you go and ask, they say they don't know anything about it,” he stressed.

Mr Kalley highlighted that their attempts to seek clarification from both AMA and Metro Mass have been futile, leaving them in a state of confusion.

He alleged that the building and the space may have been rented out to a private developer.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, December 7 to address their concerns, the leader for the aggrieved traders, William Adarkwa said they will deal mercilessly with anyone or group of people who attempt to demolish their stores.

“We’re not going to sit down and allow anybody or whoever has taken this contract to build. We are not going to accept it. We are by this press conference asking the AMA chief executive to also show why they should put any structure here without our notice.

“We are asking the authority and nobody who mistakenly comes here for any purpose that we will deal with that person and we are not going to tolerate anything,” Mr Adarkwa said.