The Takoradi Jubilee Park in the Western Region, once a bustling hub of commercial activity, now lies largely empty and quiet following the recent evacuation of traders to the Apremdo Central Market (Abenbobom Market).

The relocation exercise, carried out by the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), was aimed at decongesting the park and restoring it to its original purpose as a recreational and ceremonial space.

For years, portions of the park had been converted into a temporary trading area, accommodating hundreds of traders who were displaced during previous market renovations.

A visit to the park reveals a stark transformation — abandoned stalls, scattered debris, and overgrown grass where busy market scenes once thrived.

The once vibrant atmosphere of buyers and sellers has been replaced by an eerie calm.

According to STMA officials, the evacuation forms part of a broader city reorganisation plan designed to improve sanitation, traffic flow, and urban aesthetics in the Takoradi metropolis.

Traders were allocated spaces at the newly expanded Apremdo Central Market, which authorities describe as more spacious, accessible, and conducive for business.

However, some traders have expressed mixed feelings about the relocation.

While a few commend the Assembly for providing a permanent and structured market environment, others complain about reduced customer traffic and transportation challenges at the new site.

“We understand the need to move, but business has slowed down since we got to Abenbobom,” one trader told reporters. “We’re hoping customers will adjust soon.”

City authorities have assured traders that measures are being put in place to promote patronage at the new market and make it a thriving commercial centre.

Meanwhile, the STMA says plans are underway to revamp the Jubilee Park for public events, official ceremonies, and recreational use, restoring it as a key civic landmark in the Western Region’s capital.