Santana Market Traders Raise Land Dispute Concerns as Railway Authority Orders Evacuation

Share on Twitter Traders at the Santana Market in Tesano, Accra, have appealed to the government to intervene in a land dispute involving a portion of land they claim is occupied by traders and earmarked for a proposed 24-hour economy market.

The traders have raised concerns over allegations that part of the land has been sold or transferred to private interests, potentially affecting plans to develop the site under the government’s 24-hour economy initiative.

They have named the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Authority, Dr. Frederick Appoh, and an individual identified as Ammisah in their allegations concerning the disputed land.

However, Dr. Appoh has defended the Authority’s position, stating that the affected traders have been given notice to evacuate following engagements with them.

Speaking on the matter, Dr. Appoh said some traders had already vacated the area, leaving a few who were still protesting against the planned evacuation.

He explained that the remaining traders would be compensated if they agreed to leave the land, urging them to accept the arrangement and allow the Authority to proceed with its development plans.

Dr. Appoh warned that the traders risked being forcibly removed if they failed to comply with the evacuation notice.

He maintained that the Authority needed revenue to undertake its developmental agenda and would not allow a few individuals to obstruct its plans.

According to him, the Authority’s efforts to secure the land were necessary to support the development and financial sustainability of the railway sector.

The Railway Authority CEO further argued that actions that could undermine the sector’s sustainability risked making President John Dramani Mahama unpopular if the railway sector eventually collapsed.

On the proposed 24-hour economy market, Dr. Appoh assured that the project would proceed even after the traders had vacated the area.

Speaking at a press conference on the matter, Robert Brew Roggenston, a trader at Santana Market, said the traders supported the proposed 24-hour market but were worried that the land dispute could undermine the project and affect their livelihoods.

According to him, the local assembly had demarcated land for the proposed market, but the railway authority had subsequently asserted ownership over a wider area, including a portion of the site intended for the development.

He alleged that traders had been informed that some of the land could be transferred to a private developer because of an outstanding payment the government allegedly owed the railway authority.

The traders are seeking clarification from the relevant authorities on the ownership of the disputed land and whether any portion of the site has been sold, leased or otherwise transferred to private interests.

They fear that the situation could affect the government’s market development plans and threaten the livelihoods of those who depend on the area for their daily income.

Mr. Roggenston appealed to the government and the media to investigate the matter and ensure that the status of the land is established before further development takes place.

He also alleged that a railway official had previously threatened him during discussions about the dispute and made reference to national security. The allegation has not been independently verified.

Compensation and Evacuation at the Centre of Dispute

Dr. Appoh’s response places the evacuation of traders and the payment of compensation at the centre of the disagreement.

While the Authority maintains that traders who leave the area will be compensated, those still occupying the land are raising concerns about the land arrangements and the future of the site.

The allegations of a sale or transfer of part of the land to private interests have not been independently verified. Details of any transaction involving the land, including its terms and status, remain unclear.

The dispute raises questions about how the proposed 24-hour economy market will be implemented alongside the Railway Authority’s development plans and the interests of traders who currently occupy the area.

Clarification from the relevant authorities on the land’s ownership, the reported transaction, compensation arrangements and the precise boundaries of the proposed market site would help establish the facts surrounding the dispute.

For now, the traders are calling for government intervention, while Dr. Appoh is urging those still occupying the area to accept the compensation arrangement and vacate the land.

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