There was confusion at the Odawna Pedestrian Shopping Mall near the
Kwame Nkrumah Circle as hundreds of traders affected by the recent fire
at the Kantamanto Market invaded the previously deserted market.
The scramble for space was characterized by verbal exchanges and sporadic exchange of blows by men and women.
According to reports, the affected traders, who were armed with hammers, shovels, cement blocks, ply woods, tables, chairs, cloths and other materials, the affected traders, moved to the Odawna Market to secure sheds.
The traders, who mostly sell second-hand clothing, foot wear, belts, ear rings, accessories, cosmetics dealers, clashed with each other in their bid to secure wooden stalls constructed by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) at a cost of over GH¢2 million at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
In 2007, when the project, which was jointly sponsored by the central government and the Assembly, was completed, it had space to accommodate over 4000 traders but a portion was occupied while a large area, popularly called ‘Tuobodom by the traders, was deserted.
When CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE visited the Odawna Market yesterday, it was revealed that some traders at Kantamanto Market, who previously purchased some stalls, had abandoned them.
After several announcements, a source close to the AMA, who spoke to the paper on condition of anonymity, noted that “the stalls were reallocated, but the stalls at the Tuobodom areas have still not been occupied by their owners who either had shops in the Central Business District or were traders at Kantamanto and other places.”
As a result of this development, there was disorder at the Odwana Market as some owners struggled for stores.
Elizabeth Owusu, a second-hand underwear and cloths dealer, who claimed to have document covering one of the shops, told the paper that she lost her wares in the inferno at Kantamanto.
“I was informed that government intends to rebuild the place but I know that would take a very long time to complete so I came here only to find out that another person is claiming ownership of my stall.”
Though she claimed she had documents, another young man, Prince Dompreh alleged that he was the rightful owner and that he could prove it.
While the fight over ownership ensured in many of the shops, other people, who had two or more shops, were busily renting out their property.
In line with this, a stall, which went for GH¢8 a month, is now being hired between GH¢15 and GH¢20 a month.
Some owners demanded GH¢300 in some cases depending on the location of the stall.
Personnel of the AMA taskforce were seen clearing the debris at the market while business was rife for carpenters, masons and electricians who were preparing the place.
http://www.dailyguideghana.com/?p=82087
By Emelia Ennin Abbey
The scramble for space was characterized by verbal exchanges and sporadic exchange of blows by men and women.
According to reports, the affected traders, who were armed with hammers, shovels, cement blocks, ply woods, tables, chairs, cloths and other materials, the affected traders, moved to the Odawna Market to secure sheds.
The traders, who mostly sell second-hand clothing, foot wear, belts, ear rings, accessories, cosmetics dealers, clashed with each other in their bid to secure wooden stalls constructed by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) at a cost of over GH¢2 million at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
In 2007, when the project, which was jointly sponsored by the central government and the Assembly, was completed, it had space to accommodate over 4000 traders but a portion was occupied while a large area, popularly called ‘Tuobodom by the traders, was deserted.
When CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE visited the Odawna Market yesterday, it was revealed that some traders at Kantamanto Market, who previously purchased some stalls, had abandoned them.
After several announcements, a source close to the AMA, who spoke to the paper on condition of anonymity, noted that “the stalls were reallocated, but the stalls at the Tuobodom areas have still not been occupied by their owners who either had shops in the Central Business District or were traders at Kantamanto and other places.”
As a result of this development, there was disorder at the Odwana Market as some owners struggled for stores.
Elizabeth Owusu, a second-hand underwear and cloths dealer, who claimed to have document covering one of the shops, told the paper that she lost her wares in the inferno at Kantamanto.
“I was informed that government intends to rebuild the place but I know that would take a very long time to complete so I came here only to find out that another person is claiming ownership of my stall.”
Though she claimed she had documents, another young man, Prince Dompreh alleged that he was the rightful owner and that he could prove it.
While the fight over ownership ensured in many of the shops, other people, who had two or more shops, were busily renting out their property.
In line with this, a stall, which went for GH¢8 a month, is now being hired between GH¢15 and GH¢20 a month.
Some owners demanded GH¢300 in some cases depending on the location of the stall.
Personnel of the AMA taskforce were seen clearing the debris at the market while business was rife for carpenters, masons and electricians who were preparing the place.
