Western Regional Minister Sets Up Committee To Investigate Extortion At Market

Apremdo (W/R), August 18, -

Mrs Gladys Asmah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi yesterday called on the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly to set up a committee of inquiry to investigate the alleged collection of illegal fees from traders by the Takoradi Market Association. The inquiry should ascertain the amount of money collected from the traders on the pretext of facilitating their re-settlement at the new Apremdo market and refunded, she said. Mrs Asmah who is the Deputy Minority Leader made the call at the Apremdo Market during a visit following complaints made to her by traders erecting stalls there. The traders told the MP that the Takoradi Market Association collected 6,500 cedis from each of them to cover registration with the association, two passport-size photographs and a membership card. Mrs Asmah said the re-settlement of traders at the market from other markets in the metropolis should be handled by the Metropolitan Assembly and not rpt not the Takoradi Market Association. Mrs Asmah said the Apremdo Market should be well developed and provided with toilet facilities before traders are allowed to operate there. The traders also told the MP that they were constructing the stalls from their own resources. They alleged that the Takoradi Market Association is taking advantage of the situation to register them for the National Democratic Congress ( NDC ). The traders also alleged that sheds constructed by the Metropolitan Assembly have been given out to members of the NDC and the 31st December Women's Movement.