By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu, GNA
Kasseh, Oct. 20, GNA -Traders at the Kasseh Market in the Ada East District have expressed frustration over the burning of heaps of refuse within the market, with smoke engulfing parts of the market square.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, has raised concerns among traders, particularly charcoal sellers, who say the smoke is affecting their activities and health.
The traders expressed their grievances when speaking with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), noted that they had been relocated from their original selling points in the market to make way for the construction of a 24-hour economy market, now known as the District Economy Market.
Madam Kokor Adigler, Queen of the Charcoal Sellers, said the traders had made several attempts to clean the area but were overwhelmed by people from the Kasseh community who dumped refuse there.
“When they are dumping the refuse and we approach them, they ask us if this is our bedroom,” she said in frustration.
Madam Adigler said she had approached the assembly member for the area over the situation, but his response had left her disappointed.
“He also asked me if I wanted him to come and sweep the place for us. I was shocked,” she alleged.
She stated that the District Chief Executive (DCE) visited the market on Friday, and when she approached him about the problem, he made a telephone call in her presence and assured her that the matter would be addressed, emphasising that “nothing has been done”.
Madam Kosi Adusu, a trader, said they had no option but to endure the smoke, adding that some of them had been falling sick after inhaling it.
She said attempts by traders to draw the attention of local leaders to their concerns often resulted in politicisation and personal attacks, discouraging others from speaking out.
“Anytime we have a problem and we try to draw the attention of leadership, they politicise it and begin to single out and attack you, and so many people do not want to talk anymore,” she said.
When contacted, Mr Ebenezer Tetteh Kpodo, Assembly Member for the Kasseh Electoral Area, attributed the situation to delays in refuse collection by Zoomlion and the actions of some residents.
He said some market women and residents dumped refuse at the site and ignored warnings against the practice, only to complain when the consequences became evident.
“We don’t know who burnt the refuse, but I believe it is some of the plantain sellers who used to burn the sacks,” he said.
Mr Kpodo said that about two weeks earlier, he had to contact the Ghana National Fire Service in Ada West to extinguish a fire at the site.
A visit by the GNA observed that one refuse container had been burnt beyond use, while another stood empty as heaps of refuse continued to burn at the time of filing this report.
Mr Kenneth Kabu Kofi Kanor, District Chief Executive for the area, declined to comment on the issue.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Linda Asante Agyei