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Traders at the Makola Number 2 and Agbogbloshie markets who were victims of two separate fire outbreaks in 2010 and 2012 respectively have appealed to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to consider including them in its market reconstruction project.

In 2014, the AMA rolled out a programme to reconstruct markets that had been gutted by fire, excluding the Makola Number 2 and Agbogbloshie markets.

According to the traders, the request had become necessary because of new and lofty terms and conditions that the managers of the markets, Makola Market Company (MMC), has set up which was not favourable to them.  

The traders, for instance, have expressed worry over the arbitrary increase in the rent for stores, which even though were yet to be built they were already paying for. 

If the AMA fails to come to our aid soon, we will be left with no option but to embark on ‘’a naked demonstration,” a member of the group of traders, Ms Matilda Hashash, said.

Representatives of the traders numbering about twenty were at the offices of the Graphic Communications Group Limited to present to it a copy of the petition they had sent to the AMA last Friday.

“We are not interested in creating an insurrection, but if the authorities fail to heed our call, we’ll have no option than to hit the street in protest against the MMC,” another member of the delegation stressed in an angry tone. 

Petition by traders 
In the petition, the traders stated that the amount being charged for the stores was exorbitant, and “will not pay the fees in any way.”  

According to them, the MMC was charging between GH¢7,000 and GH¢8,000 for a shop measuring 5.6 square metres, while that for a medium-sized shop ranged between GH¢9,000 and 11,000. The traders described the current prices as exorbitant.  

“We are craving the indulgence of the AMA to take note of our circumstance and take action on the matter. We also prefer that the AMA would take charge of the markets since the MMC are mistreating us,” the petition said. 

MMC letter to market women

In a letter dated June 27, 2014 and copied to the traders, the MMC stated that due to circumstances beyond its control in addition to the high inflationary rate, they were pressed to increase the rents for their shops at Makola and Agbogbloshie.

“You are to pay 70 per cent of the five years rent premium within two months upon receipt of this second offer letter and 30 per cent over a six-month period. Full payment is expected by March 31, 2015.

“The Company shall be compelled to withdraw the offer if the following pre-qualification terms and conditions are not met; payment of all your outstanding arrears by August 31, 2014, payment of 70 per cent of the premium by September 15, 2014 and payment of the 30 per cent balance by March 31, 2015,” the letter noted.

It further indicated that the company reserved the right to pass on the offer to others on a waiting list “without further reference to you, on your failure to comply with the above terms and conditions.”