Life back to normal at markets in Accra

Business activities have resumed at the various markets a day after they were closed down for a disinfection exercise as part of efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.

A sharp contrast of the quiet scenes and empty stalls that indicated a close-down last Monday, traders were out in their numbers ready to do business, but were temporarily slowed down by early morning rains.

At the Mallam, Makola, CMB, Kaneshie, Adabraka and Mallam Atta markets, traders arrived early enough to conduct business, but were prevented from setting up as a number of them were seen with their wares packed and covered waiting for the rains to subside.

Though there were early shoppers at the various markets, business was not as brisk as is usually the case.

Inadequate water

At vantage points of the market, Veronica buckets filled with water and soap had been provided, but the water in the buckets got used up in no time since there was no constant means of refilling those buckets.

When the Daily Graphic visited a market near the Tema Station, it observed that water at three stands had run out and there was no one to refill. A good Samaritan had to run to the nearest filling station to refill those three stands.

A trader said that was going to be the challenge as it was not clear who would be regularly checking to refill.

“It is a good thing the opportunity has been provided for people to wash their hands, but who will be responsible for refilling the buckets when water runs out? Also, who will be responsible for emptying the used water collected?” she asked.

Clean-up at Agbogbloshie

At the Agbogbloshie Market, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) and the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA), in collaboration with some security agencies, undertook a clean-up exercise to make the market more hygienic.

The security agencies that participated in the cleaning of the market were the Military, Navy, Ghana Prisons and the Ghana Police Service. They cleared the heavily choked gutters and collected them into waiting trucks.

Ironically, as the exercise was underway, some of the traders and cart pushers stood by watching and had to be persuaded by the security team to join the exercise.

A Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, noted that the clean-up of the market was part of measures being put in place to keep our various markets clean to prevent other health-related outbreaks.

Mr Amoah indicated that the disinfection exercise would be extended to all the regions as it formed part of government’s measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.