Traders cry over havoc

Accra, June 4, GNA - Traders of the Odawna Shopping Mall on Monday attributed the havoc caused by the weekend rainfall to the improper drainage system in the mall.

They said many of their wares worth millions of cedis were destroyed as a result of the heavy downpour over the weekend. Mr. Patrick Wiafe Dankwa, Chairman of the Petty Traders Association of Ghana told the GNA that this had been a major problem for the traders since they moved into the market.

He said every attempt made by the Association to prevent the problem proved futile because there was no cooperation between the Association and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA). According to him the section of the market that experienced the worse flood was initially a lorry station that could have been maintained instead of demarcating the place for a market. Mr. Wiafe Dankwa said they needed an urgent solution to the improper drainage system to avoid any future flooding that would result in any looses.

He said the traders would be force to relocate to the pavements where they could display their goods well and get more patronage if the problem was not addressed immediately. "If this problem is not addressed quickly then my members will move to the street", he added.

Mr. John Yaw Adjei Appiah, Public Relations Officer of AMA in response to the problem said it was an unfortunate situation and a challenge that is beyond the Assembly's powers. He said they were working with the Ministry of Works and Housing to realign the drainage system at the market.

"We are working around the clock with the Ministry so they should bear with us because until the Ministry responds the AMA has little to do".

Mr. Adjei Appiah advised the traders to watch out for the rains and display only few of their wares to avoid any unfortunate incident.