Take Me To Hospital – Makola Market Woman Demands Justice After Being Pushed By Fellow Woman
In a dramatic turn of events at the bustling Makola Market in Accra, a heated altercation between two traders escalated into physical confrontation, leaving one of the women injured and demanding justice. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, has drawn significant attention from both marketgoers and local authorities.
According to eyewitnesses, the scuffle began when 45-year-old Akua Mensah, a vegetable vendor, accused her fellow trader, Abena Owusu, of encroaching on her selling space. Words were exchanged, tempers flared, and what began as a verbal dispute soon turned physical.
In the midst of the argument, Abena allegedly pushed Akua, causing her to lose balance and fall. Witnesses reported hearing Akua cry out in pain as she hit the ground. She reportedly sustained injuries to her back and arm, making it difficult for her to move.
“Take me to the hospital! I can’t move my hand!” Akua reportedly screamed, as bystanders rushed to her aid.
Call for Justice
Speaking to journalists from her hospital bed at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where she was later admitted, Akua expressed her frustration over the incident. She revealed that she had been trading at Makola for over 20 years and had never experienced such an attack.
“I was just asking her to respect the boundaries of my space. I didn’t insult her or provoke her, but she chose violence. Now I’m in pain, and my business is at risk because I can’t work,” she said.
Akua is demanding that the police take swift action against Abena to serve as a deterrent to others. “I want justice. This market cannot continue to be a place where people settle disputes with fists. The authorities must intervene,” she added.
Eyewitness Accounts
Some witnesses corroborated Akua’s account, stating that Abena appeared agitated and overreacted during the disagreement. However, others suggested that the situation escalated because both women refused to back down.
One trader, who identified herself as Esi, said, “It’s sad this happened. We all know how stressful the market can be, but this could have been avoided if they had just calmed down. Now one person is in the hospital, and the other might face legal trouble.”
Police Intervention
The Makola Police have confirmed that they are investigating the incident. A spokesperson for the Accra Central Police Division stated, “We have received a formal complaint from Madam Akua Mensah and are treating this as an assault case. We will gather all necessary evidence, including statements from witnesses, to ensure justice is served.”
Abena, the accused, has also been invited by the police for questioning. She has reportedly denied intentionally causing harm and maintains that the incident was an accident.
A Lesson for Traders
The incident has sparked discussions among Makola traders about the need for peaceful conflict resolution. Market leaders are calling for regular workshops on dispute management and the establishment of a committee to mediate such issues in the future.
As Akua recuperates, she hopes her ordeal will lead to a safer and more harmonious working environment at Makola. “We all came here to earn a living, not to fight. I pray this will be the last time something like this happens,” she concluded.
The case continues to unfold as the police work to determine the next steps in bringing closure to this unfortunate incident.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0