Akufo-Addo meets market women; vows to end taskforce harassment

President Nana Akufo-Addo on Saturday met with the leadership of market women and Kayayei in Kumasi, vowing to end taskforce harassment.

The president made the promise to end the rampant harassment of market women by Assembly taskforce after his attention was drawn to it by the leadership of the market women.
According to them, Assembly taskforce operatives demand extra tolls from them, even after they have paid the requisite taxes to the Assembly as stipulated by law.

This, they said was hampering their businesses, and one of the reasons for the increase in prices of goods, as they are forced to pass on these costs onto the consumer.
President Akufo-Addo, in his response, indicated that this practice was unacceptable and stated that, together with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, Osei Asibbey Antwi, the activities of these taskforces will be regulated and those operating illegally clamped down.

“As for these taskforce issues I don’t understand. When we were in Opposition, we spoke against it. If an importer pays duty at the port or the borders, that should end it. I see no reason why a taskforce would follow you to the market to harass you again,” he said.

“We are aware some of these taskforce tell you that it is my government that has asked them harass you, we will disband all these taskeoforces. They should should the extortions and get a better job to do,” he addded.
President Akufo-Addo thanked the market women and Kayayei for their support in the run-up to the December 2016 election, and appealed to them for their continued support throughout his tenure of office.