GAPTO calls for early completion of Adjen Kotoku breaking point

Accra, June 26, GNA - The Adjen Kotoku Bulk Haulage Breaking Point Project in the Ga West District must be completed early to help rid Accra of haulage trucks causing traffic congestion especially in the Central Business District.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at the weekend in Accra, the General Secretary of the Ghana Agriculture Producers and Traders Organisation (GAPTO), Mr Haruna Ageshika, attributed 93The constant heavy vehicular traffic and congestion" in the commercial and market areas of Accra to lack of space for articulated and other cargo vehicles to park and off-load goods.

Mr Ageshika said under the project vehicles carrying food stuff and timber are to off-load at the Bulk Breaking Market at Adjen Kotoku for the cargo to be conveyed in smaller vehicles into the city. He noted that parking space would be provided for the cargo trucks located within the Agbogbloshie Market area leading to the traffic congestion in the area.

The GAPTO Secretary General described the filth surrounding the market as the biggest challenge facing the area and explained that the problem was not for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) alone to solve.

He called for the co-operation of the Metropolitan authorities, market women and other stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the challenge since most of the commodities and foodstuff handled in the area were perishable.

"We should be concerned about the refuse that we create since filth=85 leads to epidemics like cholera and help in the breeding of mosquitoes, which causes malaria".

Mr Agheshika appealed to the AMA to ensure the strict compliance of the bye-law banning hawking and said since wares were being sold on the street, nearby drains easily got filled with refuse.

He expressed concern about indiscriminate dumping of refuse and littering of the environment and suggested the need for open drains to be covered and the construction of underground gutters.