Tema Shop Owners Protest Demolition, Accuse TMA Of Destroying Their Livehoods.

Shop owners operating at the Community 8 and 9 Junction in Tema are appealing to the government to intervene following what they describe as the unlawful demolition of their shops by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA).

More than 30 container shops and other structures were pulled down by excavators in an exercise carried out on Tuesday morning on the orders of the Assembly.

The affected traders say they are shocked by the demolition, insisting that the TMA had previously granted them permission to operate at the location.

They further claim that officials of the Assembly had been regularly collecting taxes and levies from them, making the exercise both unexpected and unfair.

According to the traders, they were not given adequate notice to remove their containers, goods and other belongings before the demolition was carried out, resulting in the destruction of property and significant financial losses.

Some of the affected shop owners disclosed that they had taken loans to establish their businesses due to the lack of employment opportunities, stressing that the demolished shops were their only means of livelihood.

The traders, many of whom are women and single mothers, expressed disappointment in the Mayor of Tema, Ebi Bright, saying they had expected a more compassionate approach to the exercise.

They appealed to the Mayor to reconsider the Assembly’s actions and provide support for those affected.

They also called on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene, arguing that they voted for the government with the expectation of improved living conditions rather than the destruction of their businesses.

A member of the Concerned Youth of Tema Central, Kwarteng Boamah, also condemned the demolition, questioning why the Assembly would issue permits to traders only to later demolish their structures.

He appealed to the government to investigate the matter and ensure justice for the affected traders.

Meanwhile, former Presiding Member of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Felix Subre, has urged the Assembly to review its security zone enforcement policies and adopt a more humane approach when carrying out such exercises.

According to him, while enforcing planning regulations is important, authorities must balance enforcement with the welfare of affected residents and traders to avoid causing unnecessary hardship.

REPORTER: AHIABOR AUGUSTINE.