Nat’l Tymes News Desk
THE AYAWASO Central Municipal Assembly has carried out a partial demolition exercise at Mallam Atta Market to make way for a new polyclinic and the redevelopment of a 24-hour market.
The exercise, which took place on Thursday, targeted structures that had allegedly been turned from shops into bedrooms and makeshift hostels. Some were also reportedly being used for prostitution.
According to some market women, several shop owners had divided their stalls and rented them out to young people who moved to Accra and needed affordable places to sleep. Rent was said to range between GH₵50 and GH₵80 a month, with some shop owners demanding two to three years’ rent in advance. Tenants claimed the money collected was often used to support street trading businesses.
Traders and residents said parts of the market had become overcrowded, dirty, and unsafe. Some areas had reportedly been taken over by scrap dealers and people smoking marijuana and other substances, making genuine traders avoid the place.
“Everyone in the market knows about the demolition exercise being carried out to make way for the new projects,” said Rudolf Collin-Woode Williams. “The Mallam Atta Market Health Center is being upgraded into a polyclinic, and the demolished structures were also removed to create space for traders who will be relocated from areas marked for the redevelopment and the proposed 24-hour market.”
The MCE said it was wrong for shop owners to turn business stalls into living spaces for themselves, tenants, and their families. “Nobody will be compensated for turning shops meant for business into places to live,” he said. “Anyone who rented out or used the shops as homes did so at their own risk, and tenants should collect their money from those who took it.”
During the exercise, some shop owners reportedly tried to encourage tenants to resist the demolition, but the presence of the demolition team prevented any clash. Hon. Williams thanked traders who cooperated with the Assembly and admitted that the demolition was painful but necessary for the future development of the market.
“It will be painful to see your shop demolished, but the benefits from the redevelopment will be greater in the long run,” he said.
The Assembly said the project forms part of plans to upgrade the Mallam Atta Market Health Center into a modern polyclinic and create a proper 24-hour market to serve traders, residents, and visitors.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
