Kejetia Traders Protest Eviction After Paying Thousands for Middle-Lane Spaces

By Boakye Stephen| Reporting for GhanaianNewsCanada 5/2/2026

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A developing dispute at the Kejetia Dubai market in Kumasi has left many traders frustrated and demanding answers from city authorities, after claims that they paid significant sums of money to be allowed to trade in the facility’s middle lane but were later asked to leave.

The concerns surfaced during interviews conducted by journalists from Otec 102.9 FM on Wednesday 4/02/2026 during the afternoon news where several market women expressed feelings of betrayal and financial distress. According to the traders, some paid as much as ¢3,000 to ¢6,000 for access to the trading space, in addition to routine market levies and taxes.

The controversy stems from the fact that the middle lane at Kejetia was reportedly intended to serve as an emergency access route, not a permanent trading area. Traders now question why payments were collected from them if the space was not officially designated for commercial use.

Traders Speak Out

During the Otec FM interviews, the women described their situation as deeply unfair, noting that they made financial commitments based on the belief that they would be allowed to operate there for a reasonable period.

One trader, speaking emotionally, said she would only consider leaving if the amount paid was refunded with compensation, arguing that the money could have generated returns if invested elsewhere. Her statement reflects a broader sentiment among the traders, that beyond eviction, they are concerned about lost capital, lost customers, and economic instability.

The mood among the traders was one of pain and frustration, with many calling for clarity, transparency, and accountability from city authorities.

Governance and Accountability Questions

The situation raises broader governance concerns:

Who authorized the collection of these payments?

Were receipts issued and under which authority?

Was there official approval to convert an emergency lane into trading space?

What refund or relocation plans exist for affected traders?

Urban market management in Ghana often faces tension between enforcement of spatial regulations and the economic survival of informal traders. Experts say situations like this highlight the need for clear communication, documented agreements, and transparent allocation systems within public market spaces.

Call for Response from City Authorities

Attention has now turned to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the office of the Kumasi Mayor, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi (popularly known as King Zuba). Traders and observers are calling on the Mayor to clarify:

Whether the payments were officially sanctioned,

What steps will be taken to address the traders’ financial losses,

And how similar disputes can be prevented in the future.

Urban policy analysts note that unresolved market disputes can quickly escalate into wider economic and social tensions, especially in major commercial hubs like Kumasi.

The Human Impact

Beyond policy and legality, the issue underscores the vulnerability of small-scale traders whose daily income depends on stable trading spaces. For many of the women involved, the sums paid represented savings, loans, or reinvested profits.

The current impasse therefore goes beyond space allocation, it touches on trust between local authorities and traders, and on the need for fair administrative processes in public market management.

Conclusion

As the situation unfolds, traders are seeking dialogue, transparency, and fair treatment. Many are calling for either compensation, relocation, or a clear explanation from city leadership.

The coming days may determine whether the issue is resolved through engagement and policy clarification, or whether it deepens into a larger confrontation over market governance in Kumasi.

Source: Otec 102.9 FM Kumasi morning broadcast and on-site interviews with affected traders, February 2026.