The New Juaben South Municipal Public Health Emergency Management Committee is set to meet market queens in Koforidua for a final decision on the need to practice social distancing at various markets in the municipality.
According to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) who has threatened to close down the Koforidua Central market, the Juaben Serwaa market, the Agatha market and the Zongo markets over the disregard of social distancing protocols, says the meeting will be a final warning to them.
In an interview with Citi News on the worrying trend and neglect of the social distancing protocols by traders, the MCE, Isaac Appau Gyasi indicated that the assembly will be forced to close down all markets with immediate effect.
“The market queens including the opinion leaders will be brought to the assembly for an emergency meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to make sure that we drum home to them that the social distance ought and must be practised in our markets. If they don’t go by the rules, we are going to shut down the markets. But I believe that before we get to that level, we need to engage the stakeholders first. I have done that about 10 times, we have held a series of meetings. We have educated them to make them know the threats that come with COVID-19 but some of them are very stubborn. But with this engagement, we will make it very clear that if they don’t practice the social distance in our markets, we are going to shut them down,” he said.
The New Juaben South Municipal Assembly had earlier converted half of the Koforidua Jackson park into a temporary market as part of measures to ensure social distancing.
Traders who display their goods in front and around the central market and the Juaben Serwaa market have all been moved to the park.
Meanwhile, Isaac Appau Gyasi said the assembly will be forced to close down the Agatha market if the market women do not adhere to the social distancing protocols.
Warning from the Ministry
The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, had earlier warned of an imminent closure of markets where vendors fail to comply with social distancing directives.
According to her, the need to enforce all relevant protocols to contain the spread of COVID-19 will be paramount in all dealings with the market vendors in the wake of the pandemic.
This was after the nationwide disinfection of markets.
Already, several markets across the country have been closed down over the inability for the traders and customers to practice social distancing.
