Accra traders undertake clean-up in markets
Trading activities at the various markets in the Accra Metropolis came to a halt temporarily yesterday when traders, particularly women, turned up in their numbers for a clean-up exercise to rid markets in the national capital of filth.
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As early as 4a.m, the traders, carrying brooms, shovels and other implements for cleaning, started clearing choked gutters and sweeping the markets. They also collected refuse and removed cobwebs.
Others took the opportunity to clean their containers and scrub the floors of their shops with disinfectants.
Female porters joined in the exercise by carrying the rubbish to the various collection points for final disposal.
The massive clean-up exercise was organised by the Greater Accra Market Traders Association in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and supported by the sanitation officers of the various waste-collection companies.
GUTA not involved.
However, traders belonging to the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) refused to be part of the exercise. They argued that once they had paid their taxes, it was the responsibility of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to clean the city.
They also maintained that the exercise should have been carried out at the weekend. Some others said that they were not informed about the exercise.
The position of GUTA, however, did not take the shine away from the exercise.
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Market tour
During a tour of various markets, the Daily Graphic saw the enthusiastic traders working.
It was observed at the 31st December Market that the heap of rubbish that had piled up in the centre of the market, had been cleared. The market women had also closed their shops to the early morning business so that they could take part in the exercise.
Most of the market women expressed their satisfaction with the communal effort and further expressed the hope that the exercise would not be a nine days’ wonder.
At the Agobogbloshie Market, the traders expressed happiness that the stench that had hitherto engulfed the market had been replaced by fresh air.
They suggested that personnel of the various waste management companies who worked in the various markets should be advised to stop dumping refuse indiscriminately in the markets.
At the Mallam Market, traders were spotted cleaning the market together with AMA officials.
In a chat, some of the traders commended their leaders and the market authorities for their initiative to clean the markets.
“It is a good initiative which should be done regularly to keep our surroundings clean and to free us from contracting diseases”, a trader, Auntie Dede said.
Laudable exercise
Commenting on the exercise, the Chief Executive Officer of the AMA, Mr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, lauded the market women for what he described as a display of their zeal and commitment.
Mr Vanderpujie said everyone was needed in the fight against insanitary conditions in the metropolis, and added that, “we generate waste so we must participate in the disposal of the waste”
He also said that with the discovery of an alternative dumping site and the distribution of free waste bins under the Nationwide Waste Bin (NaWaBin) distribution programme, there was going to be an effective collection and disposal of waste in the metropolis.
Mr Vanderpuijie advised the public to be mindful of the water they consumed, as it was one of the sources of cholera.
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For her part, the President of the Greater Accra Market Traders Association, Madam Mercy Nii Gyan, applauded the effort of the market women and suggested that the exercise be organised once every month in order to keep the market clean.