The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) has made available GH¢500,000 for the relocation of traders who engage in bulk breaking activities from Agbogbloshie to Adjen Kotoku in the Ga West municipality. The money is to be used for the carting of wares to the new site, will be distributed to the onion sellers (GH¢300,000), cattle rearers (GH¢100,000), truck pushers (GH¢50,000) and scrap dealers (GH¢50,000) for further distribution to their individual members trading in the area.
The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council has, consequently, set up a committee, comprising the Members of Parliament (MPs) for Ablekuma Central, Binduri and Garu-Tempane and representatives from the RCC and the Office of the Chief Imam to ensure fair distribution of the money.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Henry Quartey, made this known during a stakeholder engagement involving the leadership of the bulk breaking traders, the Ga Traditional Council and the RCC.
The meeting was also attended by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharabutu, high-ranking members of the Ghana Police Service and the chief executives of the Ga West and the Ablekuma Central municipal assemblies.
Prior to the meeting, the onion traders had rejected the new facility, they cited concerns about the size of the market and the place not being conducive for their business as reasons for their position.
Hon. Quartey, insisted that the RCC would not change its position on the July 1 deadline for the evacuation of the traders from the Agbogbloshie Market. He assured the traders that the RCC will do everything in its power to ensure that the environment is made humane for them. He said plans were underway for the construction of six more sheds, a car park and a washing bay at the new site. In addition, he said, the government was considering re-asphalting roads in the community to improve vehicular movement in the area.
The Regional Minister last month gave bulk breaking traders at the Agbogbloshie Market up to July 1, this year to relocate to the Adjen Kotoku Market. Hon. Quartey said the move was to ensure the success of the “Let’s Make Accra Work” initiative by the RCC.