Regional News of Friday, 27 October 2006

Source: GNA

Move out of city centre - Traders, hawkers advised

Ngleshie Amanfro (GAR), Oct 27, GNA - There are a lot of commercial and trading opportunities in communities springing up within the environs of Accra, Pastor Okpoti Anang, Secretary of the Ngleshie Amanfro Market Management Committee, has stated.

Speaking to the GNA at Amanfro in the Ga West District on Wednesday, he said traders and hawkers being evicted from the streets of Accra as part of the decongestion exercise by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) especially those who cannot get space at the new centres being created for them, should rush to cease the opportunities in such communities like Amanfro.

He noted that Amanfro was not to far from the capital, adding that, there was a lot of space at the Market Complex situated on the Accra-Winneba Junction highway.

The Secretary of the Market Management Committee observed that most of the people who flock the business centre of Accra daily leading `to heavy human and vehicular traffic and its attendant filth in the capital would do their shopping around where they live if they could get what they needed.

Pastor Okpoti Anang said there was a lot of space at the market complex and invited traders to approach the Committee for allocation. The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Festus Nii Botchway, said as part of the efforts to promote commercial activities in the area and to popularise the market, a Christmas Bazaar would be launched on the 23rd of November this year.

He said registration for the Bazaar had started and called on commercial firms, industries and manufacturers to take advantage and establish their presence at the market. Mr. Botchway also appealed to fishermen, farmers, artisans and market women dislocated as a result of the demolition of the Old Kasoa Market to rush for stands, stores and stalls at the Amanfro Market Complex.

Mr. Adjokitcher Tokoli, a member of the Market Management Committee, appealed to the Ga West District Assembly (GWDA) to provide and improve facilities at the market to attract more patronage. He stated that since it could be a source of revenue for the Assembly it should strive to extend electricity and pipe-borne water to enhance activities at the market. Mr. Tokoli noted that electricity would help ensure security and the provision of facilities like cold store while water would help maintain sanitation and ensure the safety of foodstuff and fish sold at the market. 27 Oct 06