BY ISSAH OLEGOR
The government has temporarily suspended plans to redevelop the Agbogbloshie 24-Hour Economy Market following strong resistance from traders who have raised concerns over the proposed demolition of the existing market structure.
The decision follows an engagement between government officials, market leaders and traders at the Kokomba Yam Market in Agbogbloshie, where concerns over the redevelopment plans were presented to authorities.
The temporary suspension is intended to create room for further consultations involving the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), market leadership and other relevant stakeholders before any redevelopment work proceeds.
The redevelopment proposal had generated opposition from traders who objected to plans to demolish the existing market to make way for a new facility under the government’s 24-Hour Economy Market initiative.
The traders expressed dissatisfaction with the consultation process, claiming that they had not been adequately engaged before the redevelopment proposal was introduced.
They also maintained that the leadership of the market had not been sufficiently involved in discussions concerning the future of the facility.
Their concerns centred largely on what would happen to existing traders and commercial activities if the current structures were demolished.
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, announced the temporary hold during the engagement with traders and market leadership.
He was accompanied by the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, and the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey.
According to the AMA, the engagement was organised to hear directly from the market operators following the resistance to the redevelopment proposal.
Ayariga explained that the pause would allow the government and other stakeholders to examine the situation on the ground before determining how the redevelopment should proceed.
Government wants traders included in redevelopment
The minister said the government’s objective under the 24-Hour Economy Market programme was to improve market infrastructure across the country.
He stressed that the initiative was not simply about constructing new markets while disregarding existing commercial activities and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods.
