Importers of tomatoes from Ashiaman, Togo, protest unjust treatment.

Countless Ashiaman Tomato Importers at CMG's Labone location

Numerous members of the Ashiaman Togo Tomato Importers Association in the Greater Accra Region complain about the unfair treatment they receive at the Ashiaman market at the instigation of certain market queens.

According to tomato merchants, they are unable to offer their product on the market because tomatoes are imported from neighboring Togo rather than Burkina Faso.

The tomato merchants believe that tomatoes are tomatoes and that the origin of the vegetable should not be a point of contention, particularly when the commodity is scarce on the Ghanaian market, causing a price increase.

When they invaded the Ghana Yensom morning show hosted by Odeyeeba Kofi Essuman on Accra 100.5 FM on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, Togo tomato importers aired their complaints about the unfair treatment they received for importing from Togo.

They argue that the 1992 Ghanaian constitution promotes freedom of association, yet they are prohibited from forming their own market-based association.

They also argued, "We cannot be forced to join an organization against our will."

Madam Magdalene Ahiagbor, the group's spokesperson, explained that their members are living in dread and urged the Ashiaman Divisional police command to come to their aid and level the playing field for all market traders.

She claimed that whenever their goods are brought to market, they are seized by hefty males believed to be the Ashaiman market queen's agents.

She noted that their imported tomatoes from Togo are always delivered to the market in a container rather than wooden cartons.