Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has said the demolition of Makola Market under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) weakened the economic strength of the Ga-Dangme state.

In a post shared on his Facebook page on August 4, 2026, he said he grew up hearing accounts from some elderly residents about how the demolition exercise affected the Ga-Dangme people.

According to him, the elderly residents, including a wealthy businessman from Tema, believed the destruction of Makola affected the economic influence of the Ga people.

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"Growing up in Tema, we were told a story by one of the then wealthy fathers of Tema, i.e. Mr Larkai @ Ownership Community Four. According to him, the destruction of Makola weakened the GA state & was intentionally done so to take control of Accra.

"In his thinking, that action also weakened GA women, as many were perceived to have been financing top businessmen, military generals, politicians, etc. It was his belief that General Ankrah, Prof. Busia's wife, Naa Morkor & General I.K Acheampong invested in Makola & GA businesses like that of Henry Djaba of TATA Brewery, etc., & the growth of GA women", he wrote.

He further indicated that the elderly businessman believed the action also affected Ga women, who were historically recognised as successful traders and were perceived to have financially supported businessmen, military generals and politicians.

“Many Ga women were good traders dating back from the Gold Coast era. Some were also financiers of political parties, including the CPP,” Dr Ayew Afriye recounted.

Dr Ayew Afriye said similar sentiments had been shared with him by other respected Ga-Dangme elders.

"Over time, some other noble men like Nii Aryee's dad, who became the Paramount Chief of Nungua and lived in Tema @ Sogeco Flat Block 426, & others on various platforms confirmed to me the good old story that the destruction of Makola by the PNDC jettisoned the GA state from a once flowery, economically independent position into one that can best be described as abject poverty & a painful livelihood in the hearts of especially the much older GA generation", he stated.

He said those accounts suggested that the demolition contributed to the decline of the Ga-Dangme community from what was once viewed as an economically independent state.

According to him, some form of state acknowledgement or reparation could help bring healing to the Ga-Dangme people.

“On any day, reparation is never too late,” he added.

See the post below:



JKB/BAI

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