Frank Antwi, Chairman of the Concerned Central Market Traders Association, has described as “laughable” claims by Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga that some traders are reselling GH¢25,000 Kejetia Phase One shops for up to GH¢120,000.
His response follows comments made by the Minister, who stated that a preliminary assessment of premium payments revealed some shop owners were renting out their spaces at more than four times the agreed premium cost of GH¢25,000.
“There is evidence to show that some people have distributed the shops among themselves and have sublet them to other people at the actual market rate. They paid the assembly 25,000 cedis but sold to others between 100 and 120 thousand cedis. And I am saying that is unfair,” Mr Ayariga stated.
However, reacting to the Minister’s statements on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr Antwi told host Kwabena Agyapong that the assertion lacks a proper understanding of market operations and existing legal frameworks.
“The claims by the Minister sound a bit laughable. I was taken aback after hearing him say that. Don’t we have the Rent Control Department in Ghana? Does the rent law not apply to those who rent these shops? The shops given out at GH¢25,000 were given to the shop owners as a premium. The premium contract was for five years, and after that, you start with the enhanced rent, which was collected by the Metropolitan Assembly,” he explained.
He noted that the initial premium charged about five years ago was already exorbitant for traders, stressing that a distinction must be drawn between the premium paid and the enhanced rent, which is negotiated directly between shop owners and the assembly.
While acknowledging that the Minister’s concerns could have some merit, Mr Antwi cautioned against broad generalizations and called for strict enforcement of the law against any offenders.
“It is deeply concerning that the Minister has generalised the issue. The most important question to ask ourselves is whether the traders who are allegedly engaged in this are supreme beings who cannot be punished in accordance with the rent laws. Inasmuch as the Minister may raise concerns over the matter, it should not serve as the yardstick for him to generalise it. We have to isolate the issues and have those involved dealt with. It is not every trader engaged in this activity,” he said.
He urged the authorities to deal ruthlessly with culprits and confiscate their shops where necessary, while also challenging the Minister to substantiate his allegations with proof.
“I believe this may be hearsay because he has not provided any evidence. Until we get people prosecuted for the allegations, we can only state that it is just rumours or hearsay. If they have the evidence, they should arrest those involved and prosecute them. That is the only way we can confirm that the claims are true,” he added.
He concluded that they have gathered information that this is a plot by the government to increase the cost of the shops to exorbitant prices.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
