“They Said Mahama Said We Should Not Sell” – Coconut Seller Cries Out In Accra

“I am a Ghanaian citizen and a father of four, and I have committed no crime, but look at what they are doing to me.”

These emotional words came from a coconut seller who says his coconuts were seized by a task force from the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly at the recently cleared Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout near Villaggio.

The trader’s complaint has drawn attention to the difficulties faced by roadside sellers following efforts to clear the area of unauthorised trading activities. In a statement captured during his appeal, the man questioned why he was being subjected to the action, particularly after hearing that President John Dramani Mahama had directed that they should not sell at the location.

“They said Mahama said we should not sell,” he lamented, expressing frustration over the seizure of his coconuts.

The seller also appealed to the public to consider his situation as a citizen and a father responsible for providing for four children. His comments suggest that the loss of his goods could affect his ability to earn a living and meet his family’s needs.

The incident occurred at the Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout, an important traffic interchange in Accra. The area near Villaggio was recently cleared, and the assembly task force’s action against the coconut seller appears to be part of efforts to enforce restrictions on trading at the location.

However, the seller’s account raises questions about how such enforcement exercises affect traders who depend on roadside sales for their livelihoods. While municipal authorities may take action to manage public spaces and address unauthorised commercial activities, affected traders can face immediate financial difficulties when their goods are confiscated.

The seller’s reference to President Mahama also highlights the need for clarity about the restrictions governing trading at the location. His statement reflects what he says he was told, but the precise directive and the circumstances surrounding the seizure were not established in the account provided.

The Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly has not been quoted in the account explaining the specific grounds for confiscating the coconuts or whether the trader had received a prior warning.

For now, the coconut seller’s appeal presents the human side of the exercise, as authorities seek to enforce rules governing the use of public spaces while traders remain concerned about their income and family responsibilities.

Source: https://x.com/eddie_wrt/status/2108534255131267571?s=46

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