Traders at the Tamale Market have expressed frustration over the lack of essential infrastructure and development in the area, citing the absence of a proper drainage system and inadequate shop spaces as major concerns affecting their businesses.
Speaking on the Community Forum, several traders lamented the poor state of the market, which they say has been neglected by authorities for years.
The lack of a drainage system has made the market prone to flooding, especially during the rainy season. Floodwaters often damage goods and make it difficult for customers to navigate the market, significantly affecting sales.
Market Leader Alhassan Ziblim voiced his concerns during the forum, stating “We have a lot of problems in the market. When it rains, we are not able to enter the market. When you are there and it rains, you don’t get people coming in to buy, you will run at a loss that day.
“Our problems are too many for us. There are no gutters and no drainage. they used to take tolls from us, but they are not using them to bring any development in the market.”
Another critical issue raised by the traders is the shortage of shops. The secretary to the traders, Abdul Zachariah, explained that the existing shops were built during the tenure of former President John Dramani Mahama in 2015.
However, there has been no further expansion or improvements under the current government.
“When it rains, the water just flows and for the stores, we don’t have enough of them. This was built during the era of John Dramani Mahama in 2015. At the time it was built, it was expected to be expanded around the market, but this government hasn’t done anything about it.
“The electricity was done by MiDA (Millennium Development Authority) to ensure that we have enough electricity in the market. But we’ve not had enough since it was implemented. There are often breakages in the lightening system. When we get a meter problem, and we call NEDCo (Northern Electricity Distribution Company) they don’t come,” he said.
Meanwhile, an assembly member of the Dapkema Electoral Area, Yakubu Mananu, noted that there has been an attempt to address the concerns raised, but the traders do not heed the directives.
“When you go to the market, the place is choked. It was the previous mayor; Musah Superior, who tried on so many occasions for them to make way for the roads. Some of them refused. We have about four markets in Tamale alone. We asked that some of them move to the other markets so we can be able to work on the roads and construct gutters to address drainage but as of now, when you enter the market, the market women do not listen to you, but it has come to our notice,” he said.
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