Multiple tolls key problem at Kumasi Central Market

Kumasi, April 10, GNA - Research has identified multiple market tolls and rents as some of the key problems militating against business at the Kumasi Central Market.

Madam Aba Oppong, Co-ordinator of the project, made this known at a workshop for market traders in Kumasi at the weekend. It was organised by the Centre for the Development of People (CEPED) to mark the end of the 18-month research project - 'Influencing Policy: The Role of Urban Market Traders in Ghana: A case study of Kumasi Central Market Women' - funded by the North-South Institute of Canada.

According to Madam Oppong, the research also showed that frequent increases in market tolls and rents did not translate into an improvement of facilities at the market.

For instance, despite the high rents, about 80 per cent of the roofs of stalls at the Central Market were still leaking. Traders at every lane of the market also had to engage the services of private security men since the Kumasi Metropolitan

Assembly (KMA) could not provide adequate security for all areas of the metropolis. Madam Oppong said the research also observed that the market was poorly drained, with the result that gutters became choked any time it rained, causing floods in certain parts of the market.

To help address the issues raised in the research, she said it was crucial for the traders and the KMA to create avenues forcloser and frequent dialogue.