“Let us transform Agbogbloshie market into a modern market” — Ga Mantse

The Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has called for a bold redevelopment of the Agbogbloshie market into a modern commercial hub befitting the nation’s capital.

“Let us transform Agbogbloshie market into a modern market,” the King said, urging government collaboration to deliver a facility that will address congestion, support livelihoods and restore order to Accra’s public spaces.

He made the appeal when the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, led a delegation of municipal chief executives and officials of the Regional Coordinating Council to pay a working visit to the Ga Traditional Council in Accra.

The Minister said the visit was to seek the King’s blessings, receive his guidance, and discuss the concerns and challenges confronting the Ga State as the year draws to a close.

“We came to you when we received our appointments, and we are here again to listen to the issues affecting the Ga State,” she said. Mrs Ocloo also appealed to the Ga Mantse to use his authority to help resolve outstanding disputes among some paramount chiefs and their subjects.

She assured the King that the Mahama-led administration would provide enhanced security for him and all paramount chiefs before, during and after the festive season.

Welcoming the delegation, the Ga Mantse outlined three major initiatives the Ga Traditional Council is pursuing in collaboration with government. Central among them is the development of a comprehensive master plan for Accra.

“The Ga Traditional Council wants to collaborate with government to have a master plan for the whole of Accra,” he said.

“It is disturbing when you see buildings springing up indiscriminately. This master plan must assess the environment and all relevant factors before people are permitted to build anywhere.”

The King also drew attention to the growing number of hawkers on Accra’s streets, attributing the trend to the absence of a modern and adequately equipped market in the capital.

Presenting a redevelopment proposal to the Minister, he explained that the Ga Traditional Council has completed feasibility studies for a new Agbogbloshie market and secured an investor ready to execute the project.

“In this scheme, you will see the Agbogbloshie market. We are ready to rebuild it with 100,000 stalls,” he said.

“We will partner with the government so we can address the challenges in the Ga State. This will bring relief to the hawkers, and we will ensure they keep the market clean and hygienic when it is completed.”

Touching on chieftaincy matters, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II acknowledged the existence of some disputes but maintained that such issues should be resolved privately among traditional leaders rather than through the media.

He called for dialogue and unity within the Ga State.

The visit forms part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the Regional Coordinating Council and the custodians of Ga heritage, with a shared goal of promoting development, harmony and progress across the region.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith