Following our recent decongestion exercise, my office received several distressing reports from market traders regarding localized displacement and, more disturbingly, the emergence of unscrupulous individuals posing as AMA Task Force officials to harass and extort Money from our hardworking women.
At 6:00 AM this morning, I conducted an unannounced oversight visit to Makola Market to personally assess the situation. My primary objective was to ensure that our queen mothers and traders have designated, viable spaces to conduct their commerce with dignity and to verify that the integrity of our enforcement protocols remains intact.
Our women are the lifeblood of the Greater Accra economy. Their resilience sustains our households and it is my solemn duty to ensure they operate in an environment free from intimidation. I will not tolerate any predatory behavior that seeks to exploit these industrious women under the guise of municipal regulation.
I strongly urge all traders to remain vigilant. Do not succumb to the demands of imposters. I plead with you to immediately report any instance of harassment, illegal seizure of goods or extortion to the Regional Coordinating Council or the AMA Office.
We are committed to a cleaner, more organized city, but this transformation must never come at the expense of the safety and livelihoods of the women who power our markets. Direct and decisive action will be taken against any individual found to be impersonating state officials or undermining the welfare of our traders.
Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo
