PAC urges Greater Accra Regional Minister to shut down livestock market at Kanda
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has appealed to the Greater Accra Regional Minister to take immediate action to dissolve the livestock market operating at Kanda near the National Mosque, citing growing concerns over sanitation, congestion and the image of the capital city.
According to the Committee, the trading of cattle, goats and other animals in the area has expanded considerably over time and is beginning to undermine urban planning efforts within Accra.
Speaking in an interview, the Vice Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Opoku Ansah, described the situation as troubling and called for urgent intervention.
“It looks like the place has been turned into a cow-selling centre. In fact, this week when I passed there, I saw them selling camels. That is the heart of Accra. We have spent money, and at one point, we even had a Ministry in charge of the beautification of Accra. Now we are all looking on, allowing this business to grow,” he said.
He indicated that the activity, which initially involved only a few animals, has now grown into a large scale livestock market operating in the middle of the city.
“First, it was about six cows; now, when you go there, you see over 100 cows. They sell goat, cow, and now camels,” he added.
The Committee is therefore calling on the Greater Accra Regional Minister to relocate or shut down the market as part of efforts to preserve sanitation standards and maintain orderly urban development in the capital.