Bukonjadeh Group of Companies has alarmed over the decision of the Ministry of Commerce to stop petty traders and “yana” boys from selling on the sidewalk of the streets in central Monrovia.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Bukonjadeh Group of Companies, Elton D. Johns, the decision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to get petty traders and “yana” boys from the streets is intended to undermine President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s government and not in its interest.
Johns made the statement over the weekend in Monrovia, as Commerce Ministry rolled out plans to enforce the mandate on May 4, 2026.
He noted that the government has not yet created jobs for the youthful population of the nation, with some of them striving to survive in the informal sector. He wondered why would the ministry wants to stop them from making their living during these difficult times.
He urged officials of government to understand the negative impact of their policies or decisions on the ordinary citizens who are struggling to make ends meet.
Johns maintained that the decision of the Commerce Ministry is not timely for the peace and stability of the country, claiming that more than 500,000 of the youthful population are jobless and harking in the streets to cater for their families.
He called on the Ministry of Commerce to reconsidered its decision to prevent street selling at this time, noting that there is no job for the young people now.
According to him, due the government’s inability to create jobs for its citizens, whether in the public or private sector, officials of government should not be thinking about policies that could affect the livelihood of the ordinary citizens.
He emphasized that the government should not allow some officials, such as the Minister of Commerce, to make the people go against their government through their deadly decisions against the people.
Johns explained that there is nowhere in the world that governments can stop street selling, adding that even in America, like New York, street selling is allowed and encouraged at all times.
He asserted that the ministry should go back and think about other alternatives to work with the petty traders and “yana” boys to ensure that suitable plans are drawn out to organize effective and efficient street selling in central Monrovia and its environs.
He maintained that government has an obligation to its citizens to create the enabling environment for the people to work both in the formal or informal sectors.
Johns called on President Boakai to intervene in the petty traders and “yana” boys’ situation to avoid confusion in the streets of Monrovia.
