Traders in Bolgatanga have been arrested by the Ghana Police for defying directive on public gatherings.
The women traders on Monday took to the streets of the Upper East Regional Capital, Bolgatanga to register their displeasure despite the ban on public gathering.
The action taken by the traders was against a decision by the Bolgatanga Municpal Assembly to relocate them to designated areas in order to observe social distancing as part measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
The Ghana Police Service moved in swiftly to disperse the protesting traders on grounds that their actions were against the public order act since no official notice was served before the action was carried out.
Some of traders have therefore been arrested and currently in police custody.
But of the traders told A1 News that “It is a shame to us and to the one who has commanded these police officers to come and beat us the way they want. Just look at how the police have done to our sister, to the extent of putting her behind bars”.
“Where the MCE has directed us to go and sell our products is too small to occupy all of us as compare to where we are currently.”Another market woman said.
“Then he (Amiyuure) should have just instructed the police to shoot and kill us than to let them beat us like common criminals. What crime have we committed to deserve this?” Another woman asked.
Meanwhile, on a letter dated 7th May 2020 by the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly signed by the Municipal Chief Executive, Joseph Atura Amiyuure to the grain sellers at the New Market indicated that on 11th May 2020 there will be a relocation of all grain sellers from the New Market to the old market.
The move, according to the letter was part of efforts by the authority in the Bolgatanga Municipality to ensure those grain sellers in the new market respect the social distancing protocol which is aimed at curbing the spread of COVID -19.
The Grain Sellers though said they were aware of the letter, they were not expecting any police brutality to the extent that the police have to put some of their colleagues behind bars.
Source:A1radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Ghana
