Swedru: The Swedru central market women have commended President Mahama for making efforts to fulfill his campaign promise of constructing a 24-hour economy market at Agona Swedru in the Central Region. The initiative aims to boost trading activities in the area, enhancing economic opportunities for local traders.
According to Ghana News Agency, the start of the proposed construction of the market was announced by the Agona West Municipal Assembly at a stakeholders meeting. Mrs. Esther Sekyi, who represented the Assembly women, stated that the Assembly had assured them of the release of funds by President Mahama for the market's construction.
Mrs. Sekyi mentioned that the old Central market would be transformed into an ultra-modern facility, including a school, fire station, police post, and other essential services to ensure the smooth operation of the 24-hour market. She also appealed to the Assembly to reconsider the ongoing registration of market women to prevent confusion in store allocation once the market is completed.
The Assembly women expressed opposition to the decision of having traders registered by Assembly staff, advocating instead for the market queens to handle the registration. Mrs. Comfort Adams, a leader at the Swedru central market, emphasized the need for market queens to conduct the registration to avoid confusion and maintain peace.
Mrs. Adams voiced concerns about traders from nearby towns engaging in brisk trading at the Swedru Main Lorry Park, which negatively affects the central market traders. She highlighted that these traders do not pay market tolls, and appeals to the Swedruman Council of Chiefs for intervention have been unproductive.
She urged the Agona West Municipal Assembly to take decisive action to prevent any potential disturbances at the market, stressing the importance of addressing the dissatisfaction among local traders.
