Tarkwa, Jan. 20, GNA - Shop owners around the Tarkwa Central Market have expressed their displeasure at the sudden increase in store rents in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality by the assembly without consulting or informing the traders.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency Madam Paulina Sagoe, a trader, said the decision of the assembly to increase the rates from three Ghana cedis last year to 10 Ghana cedis, was too high and the increases were done without any consultation with the market women and traders. She said in 2008 the stores, which are without places of convenience, went for Gc1.50 and was increased to Gc3 in 2010. The traders said they did not know what informed the decision of the assembly to increase the rates from three cedis to 10 Ghana cedis. They appealed to the assembly in future to consult them or their leadership in future before increasing the rates to prevent any misunderstanding. Ms. Babbie Barfoe, Public Relations Officer of the assembly, said the assembly had reduced the rate to six Ghana cedis instead of the 10 Ghana cedis initially announced.