The traders of the Holy Garden Police Station Market, located near Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, have raised concerns over what they describe as an orchestrated attempt to forcibly evict them from their trading posts.
The group, calling itself the Concerned Traders of Holy Garden Market, held a press conference on Thursday morning, warning that the alleged eviction would destroy the livelihoods of more than 3,000 people who depend on the market. Many of the traders said they have operated in the space for years and view the reported takeover as an attack on their survival.
Speaking to journalists, the market leadership accused a Chinese businessman of masterminding the plan with support from political connections.
According to them, the businessman, who first came to the area in 2012 as a small bus operator with only two vehicles, has over the years expanded his operations, now controlling several buses, shops, and other businesses around the market.
“He has been acquiring land in and around this market under the pretext of business expansion,” a spokesperson for the traders said. “But the real intention is to push us out, monopolize the area, and take over trading activities that belong to the local people.”
The traders allege that the businessman has already taken possession of portions of land and is negotiating to buy out more spaces, moves they believe will eventually displace long-standing vendors and hand him near-total control of commercial activities in the vicinity.
“This fight is not only about one man’s business ambition,” another trader remarked. “It is about protecting thousands of families who depend on this market. If we lose this place, we lose everything.”
The Concerned Traders have appealed to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, the Ministry of Local Government, and other state agencies to intervene.
They insist the Holy Garden Market is a public trading space and must remain accessible to the ordinary Ghanaian trader rather than being ceded to private interests.
