Traders want new market built at Abofour… To generate revenue, reduce road accidents

THE ABOFOUR Market Traders Association (AMTA) has called for the assistance of the government in the construction of a local market for the community.

They claim it would help solve the reoccurrence of fatal road accidents, as well as help reduce traffic and human congestion during Thursdays, which are market days at Abofour in the Ofinso District.

According to the Secretary of the AMTA, Mr. Francis Brobbey, the unavailability of a market at Abofour, often compels the traders to do business along the Kumasi-Techiman highway during market days.

Speaking at a meeting with assembly members and market women in the municipality last week Tuesday, he said on market days, traders struggle for space to trade due to lack of space, which according to him, compels them to display their foodstuffs on the main road, which often result in fatal road accidents.

He stated that there were no toilets, urinals, bath and water facilities, as well as a lorry park, stores, stalls, sheds and warehouses, which according to him, discouraged revenue collectors from collecting their revenues, resulting in huge losses to the Offinso Municipal Assembly.

He, therefore, called on the government to facilitate the establishment of an “Abofour Market Development Committee,” which he said, would champion and facilitate all efforts, activities and programmes related to the planning, development and construction of the market.

According to Mr. Brobbey, the committee should comprise representatives of the District Assembly, traders, security personnel, transport operators, traditional authorities, opinion leaders and a development consultant.

He said the committee should be made to mobilise the people, material resources, money and ideas needed to develop and build the Abofour Market into a modern market centre.

Meanwhile, Nana Ahobrasie Awuah Dokyi, Nifahene of Domenase near Abofour, said that should the government refuse to construct the market for the community, he would not allow the people of Domenase to partake in the next general elections.

According to him, the Abofour Market was the third largest market in the country, and attracts a lot of people during market days, so the government should give it the necessary attention it deserves, otherwise he, together with his people, would boycott the 2012 general elections.

Nana Dokyi said both the past and present governments had assured them that a modern market would be built for them, but do not live up to their words after they get the mandate to rule the country.