From Alfred Adams
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) seems to have lost the fight against street hawking and trading in and around the central business area of the Takoradi market.
The STMA has, over the last four months, moved to decongest the central business area by moving hawkers and traders from to allow the free flow of vehicles and pedestrians.
The hawkers and traders were provided with an alternative market at Apremdo, with the continued presence of the city guards curtailing the illegal activity.
However, three months after the exercise was begun, the STMA seems to have lost interest and hope in sustaining it.
This is as a result of the gradual decrease in the number of city guards and police personnel stationed there to prevent street hawking and trading.
For now, the hawkers and traders have come back to the markets openly engaging in their businesses within sight of the city guards who look on unconcerned.
A walk through the Central Business District of the Takoradi market showed an increasing number of hawkers and traders briskly doing business.
For example, the forefront of the Star Hotel and the back of U-84 Hotel are where the illegal hawkers and traders mostly congregate to do business.
The two places have now been turned into mini markets where even the city guards patronise.
The frontage of A.A.A Mensah Herbal Store is also where kenkey and fish sellers have congregated ply their trade.
For now, it is not clear whether the STMA has given up on its exercise to rid the central business market of illegal hawking and trading.