The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is set to begin the reconstruction of the 31st December Market at Makola this week after numerous pleas from the traders.
According to the traders, the market sheds have become death traps, endangering their lives every day.
Touring the market after a sod-cutting ceremony was to symbolize the commencement of the project, the Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, said the reconstruction of the market will help ensure the safety of the traders.
He also emphasized that given the significant role the informal sector plays in Ghana’s economy, it is crucial for the traders to be provided with the necessary support.
“Because of the near collapse of the sheds, a lot of the traders have either moved outside or stopped trading at all. The informal economy is the backbone of the local economy. The markets in Accra form the fulcrum of the informal economy in Accra. So reconstructing the market is also part of building the local economy and enhancing the informal economy in Accra.”
Mohammed Adjei Sowah further indicated that the displaced traders would be provided with stalls in order not to distort their daily livelihoods.
“We are engaging with the market women on the movement plan of those under the sheds currently. There a few places that we have identified. It is going to be led by the market queens themselves”.
“We want to allay the fears of the market women that no one will be displaced during and after construction.”
Construction of the market is set to begin this week.
