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We need a structured market now! – Nima traders lament
Dear Editor,
Kindly use your medium to relay an important message to authorities that traders and residents at Nima desperately need a proper structured market.
Despite several promises made by recurrent government, the promised market structure for Nima is still a mirage.
The lack of a market place for these traders is a great challenge to them since it has compelled them to sell by the roadside, which is very risky to their lives.
The frustration and plight is further compounded during rainy seasons as they have to pack up everything and find shelter to keep the rain from destroying their wares.
On Wednesdays, which is a market day at Nima, the streets become so crowded, and the traffic situation is not the only cause for worry . Another headache is that often, there are accidents as a result of the fact that motorists and traders share the same road for business.
The government should as a matter of urgency respond to this plea because constructing a proper market structure at Nima is long overdue.
On the issue of COVID-19, adherence of preventive measures at the Nima market is almost impossible because of the aforementioned reasons among others; such as traders complaining that wearing a facemask and trading under the scorching sun is extremely difficult for them.
OPPONG JULIET,
Student, Ghana Institute of Journalism, GIJ
News
Gunfire erupts between Police and Customs at Bawku checkpoint over smuggling dispute
Heavy gunfire erupted at the Missiga Immigration Service checkpoint in Bawku following a confrontation between personnel from the Ghana Police Service and Customs officials on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
Sources say the clash began when police officers refused to allow the Customs officials to inspect a Togo-bound truck that was alleged to be loaded with smuggled cocoa beans.
Customs suspected the truck was carrying smuggled cocoa beans and insisted on investigating, leading to a heated standoff with police officers in the area.
The situation is said to have escalated into an exchange of gunfire between the Customs and police personnel, prompting an intervention by military officers in an attempt to de-escalate the confrontation.
A video of the incident shows a dramatic turn when the heated verbal exchange turned violent and heavy gunfire erupted between the two security agencies.
The sound of shots rang through the checkpoint, sending bystanders and other officials scrambling for cover.
For several minutes, the checkpoint was transformed into a chaotic and perilous zone as members of the police and Customs exchanged fire in what appeared to be an alarming display of interagency conflict.
The situation has led to widespread concerns and discussions about the coordination between government bodies tasked with safeguarding Ghana’s borders.
Cocoa smuggling has long been a significant issue, with traffickers trying to avoid taxes and duties by illegally transporting goods across borders, particularly to countries like Togo and Ivory Coast.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
News
Police clarifies misunderstanding at Missiga security checkpoint
The Ghana Police Service has clarified a misunderstanding which erupted at the Missiga checkpoint yesterday.
In a statement issued today, the Police noted that “On October 9, 2024, a misunderstanding ensued among personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and the Ghana Police Service, over an intercepted consignment of smuggled cocoa bags, at the Missiga security checkpoint at Bawku in the Upper East Region.”
“We wish to state that the Ghana Police Service yesterday, 9th October 2024, intercepted the smuggled consignment based on intelligence and were in the process of escorting the truck to the Bawku Divisional Police Command for the consignment to be handed over to COCOBOD and the culprits investigated and prosecuted by the Police in line with established protocol with Ghana COCOBOD,” the statement added.
The Police further added that “For the record, the Police recently intercepted smuggled cocoa beans on two occasions within the region, and the intercepted consignments were handed over to COCOBOD, while the suspects are currently being prosecuted by the Police. It is, therefore, untrue that the Police were in any way facilitating the smuggled consignments, as being claimed. In the aftermath of the incident.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read full statement below
