More than one hundred traders under the Peaceful Settlement Association in Ashaiman have embarked on a peaceful demonstration against what they describe as an unlawful and forceful eviction from a parcel of land they insist is legally theirs.
The demonstration, which took place on Monday, August 18, 2025, drew dozens of affected traders—many of them women and young men—who chanted songs of protest and carried placards calling for justice. The traders claim that despite a court injunction currently in force, attempts are being made by the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) to forcibly take possession of the land and hand it over to a private developer.
Background of the Dispute
The traders, many of whom have operated from the disputed land for years, insist they hold valid documents that prove ownership of the property in contention. According to them, the Peaceful Settlement Association lawfully acquired the land and has invested in its development to support their businesses.
However, recent actions by the municipal assembly have left them feeling targeted and dispossessed. Several traders told EASTERN FM 105.1 MHZ that their shops had already been demolished without notice, leaving them with no means of livelihood and nowhere to trade.
Traders’ Claims Against ASHMA
The protesting traders allege that officials of ASHMA, in collaboration with private developers, are deliberately flouting the court’s injunction to forcefully take over the land.
Some of them described the development as not only unfair but also a direct attack on their rights to own property and work to feed their families.
“We are not squatters. We have the right to this land. The Peaceful Settlement Association has documents to prove it,” one of the traders lamented during the protest.
Statement from the Peaceful Settlement Association
Speaking on behalf of the group, Jeffery Eli, spokesperson for the Association, told EASTERN FM 105.1 MHZ that the traders would resist any unlawful attempt to remove them from the land until the court gives its ruling.
“We are here to protest against the municipal executives for intimidating us into signing an illegal agreement with a private developer. These developers called us into an office and demanded we sign an agreement with the encroacher so he could take over the land. The land belongs to the Peaceful Settlement Association, and we have documents to prove ownership,” he said.
Mr. Eli stressed that the matter is already before a court of law, and therefore, any effort to bypass the judicial process is both illegal and unacceptable.
“We do not understand why the MCE is intimidating us under the guise of decongestion and attempting to settle the matter out of court. The case is in court, and it should be decided there,” he added.
Impact on Livelihoods
The traders emphasized the economic hardship caused by the ongoing dispute. Many of them rely solely on their shops as their primary source of income. With shops already demolished and others under threat, families are left struggling to survive.
Some affected traders who spoke to EASTERN FM 105.1 MHZ recounted how they had invested their life savings into building and stocking their shops, only to see them destroyed overnight. Others expressed fear that if the municipal assembly and the developer succeed in taking over the land, hundreds of families will be plunged into deeper poverty.
Community Reactions
The protest has drawn sympathy from residents of Ashaiman, who say the affected traders contribute significantly to the local economy by providing goods and services to the community. Some residents questioned why the assembly would move against its own people in favor of a private developer when livelihoods are at stake.
Community leaders have also expressed concern about the manner in which the matter is being handled, warning that forcibly evicting the traders in defiance of a court order could set a dangerous precedent.
Call for Justice
The Peaceful Settlement Association and its members are calling on the government, the judiciary, and civil society groups to intervene to ensure fairness and adherence to the rule of law. They insist that only the court has the authority to resolve the dispute, and they are prepared to abide by whatever ruling is handed down.
For now, the traders remain firm in their resolve not to move, warning that any attempt to use force will be met with stiff resistance.
As the legal battle continues, EASTERN FM 105.1 MHZ will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on this unfolding story.
