Traders at the Abossey Okai Spare Parts market in Accra, have accused government of discriminating against them in developmental projects.
According to the businessmen and women, the perception that they are sympathizers of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has resulted in the Mahama-led administration sidelining the market in road construction when roads in surrounding areas have been put in good shape.
Abossey Okai which is in the Ablekuma Central constituency has over the years voted massively for the NPP even though the constituency has been won by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in past elections.
The Presidential Candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, during his campaign drive for the 2016 December polls, was boosted with a donation of Ghc200,000 from some spare parts dealers at the Abossey Okai Spare Parts market.
Nana Akufo-Addo, during his tour of parts of Accra in a bid to woo the electorate to return the NPP to power in this year’s election, in May took his visit to the business hub where the crowd gave him a rousing welcome.
A group calling itself ‘Volunteers for Nana Addo’, made up of Abossey Okine Spare Parts Dealers, donated GH¢200,000 towards the NPP flagbearer’s campaign.
But speaking to Fiifi Banson on Anopa Kasapa on Tuesday at Abossey Okai where the programme was held, Chairman of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, Mr Siaw Ampadu, who bemoaned the discrimination against them, stated that in spite of the fact that they dutifully pay huge taxes to ensure development, his members have resolved not to wait for government in vain anymore and have begun constructing their roads.
“The business area of Abossey Okai has been left undeveloped, we are really pained by this situation, we just can’t understand why this is happening to us. The politicians claim Abossey Okai is a strong hold of the opposition New Patriotic Party, that is why roads in its surrounding areas such as Sukura and others have been constructed while Abossey Okai is left to its own fate.
He added: “When it rains in this area, apart from the road leading to Datus, all others roads are very poor, a situation which makes transportation very difficult. We appeal to government to help us construct the roads to give us some relieve. Because we’ve waited for the government in vain, currently we have contributed monies to buy sand to level the roads, if government considers it worthy to help us by asphalting the roads we’ll be grateful, if it doesn’t, we’ll do what our strength can support.”
