Part of the Apremdo market
Some residents at Apremdo, near Takoradi, have suggested that the management of the main Apremdo market should be handed over to a private investor, to enable the market realise its potentials and to improve the local economy. The market, which was constructed in 1996 had since not enjoyed much patronage by traders and customers making the investment somehow non profitable.
Successive Metropolitan Chief Executives had tried unsuccessfully in the past to revive the market by evicting traders at the fringes of the Takoradi and Kwesimintsim markets to the Apremdo Market. According to sources, some traders who had rented stores at the Apremdo market do not do business there but rather keep their wares in them for sale at other markets.
Meanwhile, some of few traders there have suggested the construction of a fence wall around the market to curb the frequent theft cases reported at the place. They disclosed that Thursdays have been set aside as a Market Day, and encouraged traders and consumers to patronise the market. They also called for intensive publicity on the Market Day to attract traders.
In a related development, the chief of Apremdo, Nana Egya Kwamena XI, has called on the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly to consider converting the Apremdo Market into a school if traders continue to refuse to trade there. The Chief was addressing a community engagement held at Apremdo during which various issues concerning the development of the area were discussed.
He pointed out that the market was constructed to serve the people of Apremdo, Abenbebom and surrounding communities, yet business activity is not thriving as expected.
He bemoaned the fact that traders who have already paid for the shops at the market, were not utilising them for business purposes. The chief observed that the bus terminals within the market have become inactive due to the lack of trading activity.
“So I think that it will be prudent for the municipal authorities to convert the market into a school to prevent the structures from going waste,” he suggested.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi