Salga Market to be reconstructed - Nii Adjiri

Accra, Sept. 1, GNA - The Mayor of Accra, Stanley Nii Adjiri Blankson, on Monday called for the total co-operation of women at the Salaga Market in Accra to pave way for its demolition and reconstruction of a new one to resettle them. According to Nii Adjiri upon completion of the project the market would accommodate 800 traders compared to the 300 it houses now. The new market would include other important facilities like banks, pharmacy shops and floodlight to enable it to operate both day and night.

In addition, tourist spots and historical monuments in the area would also be developed to beautify the market, he said, at sensitization meetings at the market to educate market women on the reconstruction of the market into a multi-purpose commercial venture. Addressing the market women, the Mayor said the reconstruction, which had the approval of President Kufuor, was also his parting gift to the people of Accra Central, especially Bukom. He told the market women that it had been the purpose of AMA to restore all broken down monuments and that it was against this background that he informed the women that President Kufuor had directed that the Accra Community Centre should be given back to the chiefs and people of Accra. Messrs Mamphey Developers Limited, contractor for the project, was introduced to the women. Earlier, Nii Adjiri called on the chief of the area Nii Owoo II and appealed to the chief and his people to support the project by co-operating with the contractors, especially as they carry building materials to site.

He said the reconstruction was in fulfilment of government's policy as announced by the NPP presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo last week at Bukom. Nii Owoo said the area was flooded anytime it rained because the underground drainage had become the dumping sites of the market women and other residents and praised the Assembly for the reconstruction. "It is long over due after the traders were sent into the streets 10 years ago." The chief underscored the importance of the market in the history of the country and expressed regret that it had been left in ruins. He said it was the place where his forebears kept slaves from Salaga in the Northern Ghana hence the name. The assembly member for the area, Nii Adjei Sowah, asked the market women not to politicize the reconstruction and quarrel over the market. He said the market was being built with the taxes collected by the Assembly and therefore politicizing it would defeat the purpose of the Assembly.

Nii Adjei Sowah, who is also the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Odododiodio, appealed to the traders to co-operate and support the contractor. 1 Sept. 08