Tamale timber market traders vows to lay their lives to protect it after attempted sale; Gov’t rescinds decision after sensing danger
Information available to Zaa News indicates that the government has rescinded its decision to sell the Tamale Timber market to a private developer.
This follows fearful agitations by the traders who promised to lay down their lives to prevent any takeover of the land. The timber market sales have been resurfacing almost every year with some powerful rich men allegedly conniving with some officials at lands commission in the northern region..
The Timber market traders maintained that they could have also afford to buy the land as a group if the government through the lands commission was mindful of what they have done to protect the area for decades now. The market situated between Aboabu forest in the Tamale central constituency and Nyohini forest in the Tamale south constituency has both wood and charcoal sellers, with some powerfully connected to the two major political parties-NPP and NDC.
It is not clear what informed the government decision to sell the area and for what purpose but a well-known individual in Tamale noted to be involved in state lands issues as his trade of stoke has been fingered for masterminding the process.
The potential buyer whose identity is yet to be established was said to have given the traders two weeks eviction notice.
A trader who spoke to Zaa News on condition of anonymity;’’ we have been advised by some people in government not to grant media interview about it again because government has rescinded its earlier decision’’.
On Saturday, 2 May 2021 Minority leader and member of parliament for Tamale south Mr Haruna Iddrisu met the traders over the issue. During the meeting the MP told the traders that it was unwise for the government to sale the place and promised to formally lodged before the lands and natural resource minister Samuel Abu Jinapor for investigations.
In recent times, sales of government lands including the defunct Food Distribution Company established by the first president of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah has been sold to private people.
Low-cost bungalows meant for public sector workers have been abandoned and rotting across the Tamale metropolis and Sagnarigu municipality also sold to politically connected persons. Zaa News checks revealed that what used to be state lands or government property is becoming an endangered species within Tamale metropolis leaving many asking questions whether that is the legacy the current crop of leaders want to leave behind for future generations.
About two years ago, some concerned youth of Moshei Zongo, Poloya fong and artisans together Zaa Radio mounted defense against the sale of water Works’ park serving as a recreational center and other social events. Individuals connected to government and influential were fingered for pushing for the sale to a private developer on the blindside of park and gardens, the rightful owners.
