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Hundreds of market women in Effiduasi, in the Sekyere East District of the Ashanti Region, are voicing their frustration and demanding the stores they paid for after contributing large sums of money to a contractor for the renovation of the local market. The women allege that the Sekyere East District Assembly instructed them to pay the contractor for the rehabilitation, with the promise that each woman would be allotted a store once the work was completed.
However, after making their payments, the traders claim they were shocked to find that the contractor had distributed the stores to individuals they do not recognize, instead of fulfilling the agreed-upon allocation. The traders, who number 34, were told by the contractor that only 16 would receive stores. Despite having paid for the full 34 stores, they allege that the Assembly only provided funds for 16, resulting in a serious dispute.
Speaking at a press conference today, the market women expressed their anger and disappointment, demanding that the former District Chief Executive Officer (DCE) for Sekyere East, Hon. Osei Adiyiah, either return the stores they paid for or refund their money. They emphasized that they are not seeking conflict but simply want justice for the money they paid in good faith.
The protest has brought attention to a growing issue between the market women, the contractor, and the Sekyere East District Assembly. As the women continue to demand their stores or a refund, the situation remains unresolved, and tensions remain high in the community.
In response to the allegations, Mr. Andrew Acheampong, CEO of Andy Bell Construction Company, denied that the market women had paid money directly to him. He asserted that the funds were paid to the Sekyere East District Assembly and urged the traders to seek a refund from the former DCE, Hon. Osei Adiyiah, as it was the Assembly that received the payments.
