Traders from the Ho Central Traders Association in the Volta region staged a demonstration to express their grievances against the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and officials of the Assembly.
The protest arose from the formation of a market management committee by Mr Divine Bosson, the Municipal Chief Executive and Assembly officials, without involving the Market Queen and other executives of the Association. The traders claimed that the market toll and other charges were increased by the Assembly without their consultation for input.
The traders, during the demonstration, carried placards with various inscriptions demanding the removal of the MCE, proper market security systems, and the inclusion of executives in the management committee.
The group marched from the market area to the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, where they presented a petition to the Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, and a copy was sent to the Municipal Assembly.
The Market Queen, Madam Joyce Norvixoxo, in the petition, alleged that since Mr Bosson assumed office, he refused to work with the Market Queen and other executives of the Traders Association. She further claimed that the MCE had no apparent reason to harass members of the Association and the Market Queen.
She cited the arrest and detention of the Market Queen by the Police upon the instruction of the MCE when resolving a problem between market women.
The traders maintained that the Market Queen and the executives were duly selected and appointed by Mamaga Akua-Dei II, the Paramount Queen of the Asogli State, chiefs, and elders of the State.
They were witnessed by members of the Assembly under the former MCE. They, therefore, called on the Minister to intervene and address the situation.
Mr Augustus Kwaku Awity, the Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, received the petition on behalf of the Regional Minister. He promised to constitute a committee to investigate the matter and take appropriate action to address it.
In response to the allegations, Mr Bosson confirmed the formation of a new Market Management Committee to maximise revenue collection. However, he disputed Madam Norvixoxo’s claim of being the Market Queen. He maintained that no document at the Assembly had ever given anyone the right to operate as such.
He revealed that there were adverse findings against Madam Norvixoxo in the distribution of stalls and extortion, which made it difficult for the Assembly to work with her. He further stated that an invitation to the traditional leadership for representation on the management committee was yet to be actualized.
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