Angry hawkers in Kumasi boo Akuffo Addo over economic hardship in the country

Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital on Monday, October 17, 2022 was the scene of jeers and catcalls for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was inspecting the Phase II of the Kejetia/Central Market Project.

On their way to the Kumasi Central Market, the president’s convoy was met by scores of traders at Adum in the central business district who had displayed their wares for sale.

On seeing the vehicles conveying the president and government officials, the group of market women, hawkers and artisans wasted no time in voicing their displeasure with the prevailing economic situation.

In a video posted on twitter by Citizen Kofi, it was seen that hawkers and passersby were booing the president as the convoy moves.

In good times, the stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party would be most welcoming of the President, with residents waving their approval, with some offering their cloths for a carpet for him to walk on.

The economic downturn and its attendant increasing hardships appear to have eroded all of that love.

Social media users joined the discussion on whether or not booing President Akufo-Addo is was justified.

Meanwhile, the President has commissioned a 20-unit residential facility for justices of the Appeals Court in Kumasi.

The project, which comprises four bedrooms each, a swimming pool and recreational facilities, has been completed on schedule.

It is expected to ease the accommodation pressure of the justices and fast-track adjudication of cases at the Appeals Court in Kumasi.

This means justices of the court, who commute from Accra to Kumasi, can be accommodated in Kumasi to help reduce the cost and time to promote justice delivery.

Ahead of the commissioning, Project Manager of FeDems Limited, consultants for the project, Benjamin Fosuhene Asante, told JoyNews the facilities are tailor-made for the justices.

About three weeks ago (September 24, 2022) President Akufo-Addo was treated to a similar unfriendly reception by youthful partygoers at the Global Citizen Festival in Accra.

During the festival, the president who had been introduced to tout the government’s initiatives in prioritising vital causes in line with the organisers’ mission for social justice, was interjected by the youthful revellers who simply wanted him ‘away’.

Some government communicators later described the development as the doing of the opposition National Democratic Congress while, a Deputy Tourism Minister called the jeers as cheers for the President.

Watch video of hawkers/traders booing the president;