Business owners at Mallam Atta Market in Accra, Ghana, are urging the government to accelerate the redevelopment of the market. The demolition of parts of the facility has made it difficult for regular customers to locate their usual shops, resulting in reduced sales. The traders expressed their concerns during a meeting with the Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly, which was held to discuss annual revenue collection rates.
The redevelopment of Mallam Atta Market is part of the government's broader 24-hour economy programme, aimed at modernising some of Accra's major markets. While traders support the redevelopment in principle, they are frustrated with the disruption caused by the demolition of existing stalls. Many customers are no longer able to find businesses that have been relocated or temporarily shut down, affecting the traders' daily earnings.
The demolition has only affected phases one and two of the market so far, according to Tawulo, a food seller at the market. She appealed to the government to speed up the works so that traders can win back their customers. The traders also highlighted other challenges facing the market, including choked gutters, poor street lighting, and security concerns.
The traders called on the Assembly to urgently fix the drainage system to curb flooding and improve sanitation around the market. In response, the Presiding Member of the Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly, Alexander Kwame Mensah Tumasi, acknowledged that the 24-hour economy works had displaced many traders and affected their sales. He announced that the Assembly would maintain existing revenue rates rather than raise them, citing the hardship traders described.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Ayawaso Central, Rudolf Collinwoode Williams, stated that the consultation was part of an annual exercise in which the Assembly engages ratepayers before setting rates for the year. The goal is to ensure that traders' concerns are factored into the final decision. The Assembly's decision to maintain current revenue rates is seen as a temporary relief for the traders.
The appeal from Mallam Atta traders is part of a wider pattern of friction between Accra's municipal authorities and informal traders. Similar tensions have been reported in other parts of the city, including Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout and 37 Military Hospital. The traders are concerned that the authorities' efforts to decongest and modernise public spaces are affecting their livelihoods.
The stakes are high for the Mallam Atta traders, as reduced foot traffic translates directly into lower daily income for people who rely on the market as their main source of livelihood. The traders are calling for a transition process that takes their livelihoods into account. However, no completion date for the Mallam Atta redevelopment, nor a timeline for addressing the drainage, lighting, and security concerns raised by traders, has been disclosed.
Key points
- The demolition of parts of Mallam Atta Market has disrupted business, affecting the livelihoods of traders under the 24-hour economy programme.
- Traders are urging the government to speed up the redevelopment of the market to minimise the impact on their businesses.
- The Assembly has maintained existing revenue rates for the year, but further details on the redevelopment timeline have not been disclosed.
