Worried traders operating from Kumasi race course have banked their hopes on the intervention of rituals performed by Asantehehene‘s Chief Priest Sumankwahene Baffour Asare Ababio to salvage them from the poor sales they have been recording over the period since they relocated to the new market
This follows several complains about low patronage of the goods by the traders which saw the Asantehene’s Chief Priest storm the market on Sunday with 3 hens, 2 Sheep, eggs, schnapps and tubers of yam to perform rituals for River Subin that has been violated in order to boost the sales of the market women.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly(KMA) after embarking on the decongestion exercise to relocate traders and transport operators from unauthorized places to racecourse market, the Sumankwahene confronted authorities and demanded answers as to why the Assembly relocated traders to racecourse without consulting River Subin which has its head in the market.
Ever since the traders have complained to the assembly over low patronage of their goods in the market which is believed to be linked to the defiance by authorities to pacify the Subin River before relocating the traders forcing some traders to move from the market back to the roadside to sell their goods.
Some have complained of losing their capital since selling in the new market is not lucrative as they used to on the streets.
Otumfuo’s Chief priest who has oversight responsibility of pacifying all gods within the Asante Kingdom therefore performed rituals on River Subin to ask for forgiveness on behalf of the traders.
After the rituals, Baffour Sumankwahene Asare Ababio told the traders that their apology has been accepted by River Subin saying the traders will no longer complain about low patronage of their goods.
Baffour Sumankwahene Asare Ababio urged the traders to change their attitude towards sanitation in the market since River Subin has its head in the market and is noted for cleanliness.
According to the Chief Priest, business activities will be booming henceforth since River Subin is no longer angry with the traders.
“Now everything is under control. River Subin has accepted the apology of the traders. Things are going to change from tomorrow. But I am warning the traders to keep the market clean because River Subin can’t stay in dirty place. The traders should stop using the River Subin as a dumping site. Some of them even throw their menstrual pad into the River. River Subin will be angry if this attitude continues” he said.
The Queen mother for Racecourse market Nana Kyeiwaa with joy expressed her gratitude to Manhyia palace for listening to the concerns of the traders.
Nana Kyeiwaa called on traders selling on the pavement, road shoulders and unauthorized places due to low patronage in the market to relocate to the race course market in numbers and also urged them to change their attitude towards sanitation in the market.
Manager for Racecourse market on behalf of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) mayor sei Assibey Antwi thanked the Chief Priest and the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for swiftly coming to the aid of the assembly and the traders as well.
He revealed that the assembly is putting measures in place to meet the demands of the traders by strengthening the security situation in the market and construct the link road to the market.
