Ho Main MarketThe Sanitized Communities Konnect (SANCOK) Foundation has commended the leadership of the Ho Municipal Assembly for its decisive action to remove hawkers from roadsides near the main station and market.
The move, part of a wider initiative to restore order, improve road safety, and enhance the overall environment of the municipality, is being hailed as a bold step toward sustainable urban management.
According to the SANCOK Foundation, the removal of hawkers is expected to create a more organized and business-friendly atmosphere. The Foundation praised the Assembly’s leadership for prioritizing public safety and committing to long-term sanitation and development goals.
Dr. Fenteng Jacob, CEO of SANCOK, expressed strong admiration for the Assembly’s resolve.
“We deeply respect and appreciate the leadership’s courage to take this bold step,” he said. “Their commitment to promoting the development and well-being of the Ho Municipality is commendable.”
The Foundation further pledged its full support for the Assembly’s efforts to promote cleanliness, orderliness, and progress in the area. SANCOK believes Ho has the potential to become a model city for sanitation and urban development and is ready to collaborate closely with authorities to achieve that vision.
However, the decongestion exercise has not been welcomed by all. A section of traders at the Ho Main Market, directly affected by the operation, have expressed deep frustration and uncertainty about their future. They claimed to have been occupying the affected area legally since 2017, paying rent to the Assembly throughout that period.
The traders also accused the acting Market Queen of orchestrating the eviction, alleging that she brought in “ghetto boys” to cause chaos. They say this resulted in theft of goods, destruction of stands, and damage to personal property.
With no alternative stalls or relocation arrangements provided, the traders have appealed to the Municipal Assembly to intervene. They have also notified the Legal Aid Office and the Agbogbomefia of Asogli for urgent assistance.
The traders’ displacement has raised concerns about a possible drop in internally generated revenue for the Assembly. Without immediate efforts to reallocate trading spaces, the Assembly risks losing rent payments from affected vendors.
The Municipal Assembly now faces a critical decision—how to maintain public order and safety while also addressing the livelihood concerns of displaced traders. A balanced resolution will be essential in ensuring public support for future development initiatives.
