Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey reveals that a significant number of spare part dealers in Abossey Okai have expressed their willingness to relocate to Afienya, countering the resistance from a faction within the community.
The government’s proposal to establish an automobile hub in Afienya, as part of efforts to decongest major areas in Accra, initially faced opposition from a group calling themselves the National Concerned Spare Parts Dealers in May 2022.
In an interview on Face to Face on Citi TV, Quartey disclosed that he had fruitful discussions with the then chairman of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, and approximately 4,000 dealers had signed their consent to the relocation plan.
The government was prepared to construct over 40,000 shops in Afienya to facilitate the move.
Quartey explained, “I had a series of conversations with the then chairman of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, and interestingly, they bought into the idea. I have on my desk about 4,000 people who have appended their signatures, consenting to the fact that they were ready to move.”
However, negotiations hit a snag when internal divisions emerged among the dealers, with some supporting the relocation and others opposing it.
Quartey noted, “Along the line, politics got into it. A group at Abossey Okai said they were not ready to move, and one section said they were ready to move, so they started fighting among themselves to the extent that they were incited to go on a demonstration.”