By Simon Agbovi
Kasoa (C/R), June 05, GNA – Three members of the Awutu Senya East Assembly Taskforce were critically injured by mobile phone traders during a demolition exercise along the Kasoa-Ofaakor stretch.
The taskforce, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), commenced the demolition exercise on Monday, to clear traders off the streets and pavements to ease traffic congestion.
However, on Tuesday, May 28, 2025, some phone traders at the Ofaakor Taxi Rank pelted stones at the officials as they dismantled canopies mounted on pavements, critically injuring three individuals on the head and leg.
Two others sustained minor injuries, and they were all rushed to the Kasoa Polyclinic for treatment.
Two persons were arrested and are assisting the police with their investigations.
The officials stated that there had been several engagements with the traders and their leaders, including a clear ultimatum to vacate the affected areas, but their directives were ignored.
Leader of the Assembly Taskforce, Nana Adeiso Asuoko, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that, while the exercise was ongoing, they suddenly saw stones flying from the crowd, injuring some of the officials on the head and leg.
“We held a meeting yesterday and I spoke with the leader of the traders in the evening, and he assured me they would vacate the premises this morning.
“I am therefore surprised these young men decided to attack the officials with stones,” but cautioned that the exercise would continue despite the resistance.
“The most worrying aspect is that after trading, they leave behind polythene bags filled with refuse, which increases the cost of maintaining sanitation in the Assembly.
“We will continue this operation to ensure the roads and pavements are cleared for the smooth flow of traffic,” he stated.
Municipal NADMO Director, Mr Nash Nyande, added: “We foresaw this and that is why we consistently engaged them. Some complied, the mobile phone sellers whom we are not evicting, but only asking them to remove their canopies declined, which led to the pelting of stones.”
In a counter statement, some of the traders said the Assembly only informed them of the demolition in the morning and returned just a few hours later to dismantle the canopies.
“The canopies provide shade and protect us from the sun and rains, which even benefited the officials themselves this morning when it started to drizzle,” one trader said.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah