Traders Call on STMA to Close Down Market Circle Due to Low Patronage at New Location
A cross section of traders at the Takoradi Market Circle in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STMA) who relocated to the temporary market provided by the Assembly are calling on the Assembly to ensure immediate close down of Takoradi Market Circle to improve patronage at the newmarket site around the Ahenfie Hotel.
According to the traders, a conscious effort must be made by the City Authority to ensure effective and full participation by occupants of the market to increase patronage.
This development comes on the back of the reconstruction of Takoradi Market Circle into an Ultra-Modern Facility which has led to the Assembly setting up satellite markets to accommodate traders till the project was completed in the next three to four years.
Some of the market women who have already occupied the temporary structures in the last two months complained of low patronage of their products which has also resulted in some of their products going bad hence, the call on the Authorities to close down the Market.
Madam Banu-Ye who spoke to Spice News shared her ordeal, “Patronage here is very low, some of my products have spoilt already, I believe the only way for the market to be effective is to call on other market groups who are still at the market circle to relocate to the new site or probably the market has to be closed down.’’
According to Madam Aba Yaa, one of the traders, she occupied the shop three months ago yet many of the shops were empty leading to low patronage. “I came here in the last three month, many of our colleagues have still not joined us which has made the market ineffective.”
The Traders also pointed to some challenges at the site and mentioned the non-availability of electricity supply which is very pressing to them.
“Some of the goods which need refrigeration go bad due to the absence of electricity”, Madam Janet Eshun lamented.
Meanwhile, speaking to the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of STMA, Mr John Laste on Adzekye Mu Nsem on Spice Fm 91.9 MHz yesterday, he assured the general public that official relocation would commence on 3rd May, 2021.
He assured of a proper traffic management plan expected to ensure free flow of traffic in the catchment area adding, “there is a traffic management plan after stakeholder consultation which is expected to ease traffic in the catchment areas.”
He gave the assurance for maximum security with a promise of a gated market.
Story by Kwame Offei
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