More than 3,000 traders at the Holy Gardens Police Station Market in Accra are raising alarm over what they describe as an unlawful eviction attempt by WB Impex Limited, a foreign-owned company.

The traders, many of whom have operated in the market for decades, say the move threatens their livelihoods and undermines their rights as Ghanaian citizens.

The traders have long conducted business on government land. While previous efforts by WB Impex Limited to displace them failed, the company has resurfaced with renewed claims of ownership and recently issued an eviction notice.

According to the traders, the eviction notice rests on shaky legal grounds.

They argue that the court order secured by WB Impex Limited is directed at one Moses Abor—who, they insist, neither owns the land nor invested in the construction of the market stalls.

Applying that order against thousands of traders, they contend, is unjust and legally flawed.

The traders warn that enforcing the eviction could have devastating consequences, including:

Overnight loss of livelihoods for thousands of families

Destruction of income sources for traders who regularly pay VAT and other taxes

Disruption of vital supply chains serving the local community

Erosion of confidence in Ghana’s ability to protect indigenous businesses from unfair foreign interference

The traders are appealing to the government, the Judiciary, Parliament, traditional rulers, civil society, and the media to intervene.

Their key demands include:

An immediate suspension of all eviction processes until a fair and transparent resolution is reached

Government recognition and regularisation of their market to safeguard their rights as local traders

Determined to defend their livelihoods, the traders vow to use every lawful means available to resist the eviction.

They are calling on Ghanaians and stakeholders across society to stand in solidarity.

The outcome, they warn, will carry significant implications not just for their market community but also for the broader principle of protecting indigenous businesses from external threats.