Traders and service providers operating at the Adentan Station have accused the Adentan Municipal Assembly led by Hon. Ella Christine Esinam Nongo of using the name of President John Dramani Mahama to justify what they describe as a forceful and disrespectful eviction process, as plans move ahead to demolish their business premises on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The traders contend that while the Assembly has linked the eviction to preparations for a 24-hour economy model market project associated with the President, there has been little to no meaningful engagement with those directly affected, turning what should be a consultative development process into an act they say amounts to injustice.
According to the affected traders, their ordeal began on 21 November 2024, when Assembly officials met with them and directed that all traders vacate the land by 28 November 2024. They describe the directive as a one-week ultimatum, allegedly issued to pave the way for President John Dramani Mahama to cut the sod for the commencement of the project.
Following the meeting, eviction notices were pasted on shops across the station between 24 and 28 November 2024, prompting the traders to submit a formal petition to the Assembly. In the petition, they appealed for a minimum of three months’ extension to enable them reorganise their businesses and explore alternative locations.
In a response dated 9 December 2025, and signed by the Municipal Coordinating Director on behalf of the Municipal Chief Executive, the Assembly acknowledged receipt of the petition and granted an extension up to the first week of January 2026. The letter cited the need for a “smooth and well-coordinated relocation process” and urged the traders to cooperate with Assembly officials.
However, the traders insist the extension, which effectively runs until 5 January 2026, remains inadequate given the scale of their investments. More importantly, they say the promised relocation process has never been discussed, with no designated relocation site or transition plan presented to them.
Tensions have escalated amid reports that the Assembly intends to proceed with demolition on January 5 if traders fail to vacate the area. The traders say this approach, which they claim is being justified in the name of the President, contradicts assurances of relocation and exposes them to severe economic hardship.
According to the group, a concerned member has drawn the attention of the Greater Accra Regional Minister to their situation, particularly the lack of engagement on relocation. Despite this intervention, they allege the Assembly remains unwilling to suspend the demolition or return to the table for dialogue.
The traders are therefore appealing to the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and other relevant authorities to intervene urgently, stressing that development should not be pursued at the expense of fairness, consultation and respect for livelihoods.
As of the time of filing this report, the Adentan Municipal Assembly had not issued any further public clarification on relocation arrangements or responded publicly to the accusations surrounding the planned January 5, 2026 demolition.
Story by Doe Benjamin Kofi Lawson