Abdallah Umar and Issah Moro spoke about the situation
Correspondence from Ashanti Region
Onion sellers in Kumasi are protesting a move by the Kwadaso Municipal Assembly to evict them from land they claim was allocated to them by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in 2011.
The Association of Onion Sellers says the assembly’s actions violate a 2024 order from the Asantehene allowing them to use the 2.4-acre parcel for a commercial onion market following the redevelopment of the Kumasi Race Course.
Speaking to the media on Monday, July 21, 2025, Abdallah Umar, Vice Chairman of the association, stated that the assembly’s decision to prevent them from erecting stalls to operate their business constituted a blatant disregard for the Asantehene’s directive.
He also made a startling allegation that the association pays a monthly levy of GH¢5,000 to the Kwadaso Municipal Assembly.
Abdallah emphasised the association’s contributions to the community, including job creation for women and youth, procuring desks for schools, and covering healthcare costs for needy individuals.
Addressing concerns about road congestion caused by onion trucks, he said the association would create a new access route to the market.
Adding to the controversy, Issah Moro, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman for the Kwadaso Constituency, has defended the onion sellers, calling their eviction unjustified.
In an interview with the media, Moro corrected what he called misapprehensions and revealed that the onion sellers bore the full cost of levelling the land before settling there.
Chairman Moro further disclosed that during the 2024 Election campaign, he and the current Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Kwadaso, Eric Assibey, promised to allow the onion traders to continue their trade on the land if they actively campaigned for the party.
He pledged to thwart all eviction efforts and alleged that the assembly is currently planning a 50-year lease to a private developer for the construction of a bus terminal and washing bay on the disputed land.
