Traders at the Dome Market have issued a stern warning, threatening to boycott the upcoming general elections due to the government's failure to develop the market.
Established two decades ago to accommodate around 1,000 traders, the market has seen little to no improvement, leaving it overcrowded and filled with filth.
The traders expressed their frustration with the Municipal Assembly and local politicians, who have repeatedly promised to upgrade the market but have yet to deliver.
The traders' patience has worn thin as the market's conditions continue to deteriorate.
“We don’t want any private contractor to build the market for us; we want the government to do it. If the government does not build a market for us, then we will not vote during the 2024 elections,” some traders declared.
Former Municipal Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kwao Sackey, provided some insight into the lack of development.
"If you watch the foundation, the idea was to raise it before we do the pavement, but the administration just went and did the pavement. So, when it rained, water runs through the market. I will urge the administration to go back into the drawings and the layout that have been done for the market,” he explained.
Mr. Sackey further emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Ga East Municipal Assembly and market leaders to generate the necessary revenue for the market’s development.
“Politicians should know that market leadership should be worked with. I never changed the leadership that I came to meet, so when you work with the leadership of the market, you will be able to get good results because they understand their people,” he stated.
The Dome Market is one of the city's fastest-growing business centers, yet it remains plagued by inadequate infrastructure and poor sanitation.
The traders' threat to boycott the elections highlights the growing discontent and urgent need for government intervention.
As the 2024 elections approach, the pressure is mounting on the authorities to address the traders' grievances and take immediate action to improve the market's conditions.
The situation at Dome Market serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for infrastructural development and effective governance in supporting local businesses and communities.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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