BEREKUM, Ghana – More than 200 traders operating at the Berekum Central Market in the Bono Region have reportedly been defrauded after paying registration fees to individuals who promised them access to loans of up to GHC10,000, but later disappeared.
The affected traders, most of whom are women at the Central and Senase markets, said they paid between GHC250 and GHC500 as loan processing or registration fees, with assurances of receiving loans ranging from GHC5,000 to GHC10,000.
According to the victims, the suspected fraudsters moved through various sections of the market – including the tomatoes, fish, fabric, vegetable and tubers lines – registering traders and collecting money before vanishing without fulfilling their promises.
Speaking to reporters, the Market Queen of the dry fish (Mponam) line, Nana Akua Serwaa, said she was asked to help mobilise traders after being told the initiative was meant to support market women with easily accessible loans.
“They assured us the loans were genuine and that only registration was required,” she said. “After the payments were made, they stopped answering our calls.”
A yam trader, Madam Beatrice Boabeng, confirmed that repeated attempts to reach the individuals after payment have been unsuccessful, leaving many traders financially distressed.
Another victim, Abenaa Meayaa, has appealed to the government and the Ghana Police Service to intervene and arrest those responsible to prevent further victims.
The total amount lost is believed to run into millions of Ghana cedis. As of the time of filing this report, the suspects remain at large.
Written by Prince Kwame Wonder
For BigtimezGH.com
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