Akufo-Addo Challenges Engineers, Architects and Planners

*Monday, November 22, 2010:-* The 2012 Presidential Candidate of the NPP,

Nana Akufo-Addo, has challenged all relevant public authorities in the

country; especially the Institutes of Engineers, Architects and Planners to

work in direct collaboration with the various District and Metropolitan

Assemblies across the country for the evolution and successful

implementation of modern prototype market designs that are not easily

susceptible to fire outbreaks, to be built across the country. This he hopes

will help forestall the recurrence of fire outbreaks in our markets moving

into the future.

He threw the challenge when he visited the Abgobgloshie market in Accra on

Monday to sympathise with the victims of the recent fire that gutted some

portions of the market last Friday.

Nana Akufo-Addo bemoaned what appears to be a high frequency of fire

outbreaks occurring in markets in the country in recent times, calling for

immediate steps to arrest the problem.

“There have been too many fire outbreaks in our markets lately, and it is

high time we took serious steps to bring the situation under control,” Nana

Akufo-Addo said to a thunderous applause from the large number of traders

who had gathered to catch a glimpse of him and listen to what he had to say

to them.

He added, “I am making a passionate appeal to the relevant authorities,

especially the Institutes of Engineers, Architects and Planners, to come out

with innovative plans for the construction of modern prototype markets that

will make it difficult for the recurrence of these fires.”

He stressed that “immediately, our professionals; the Architects, Engineers

and Planners can make recommendations to the District and Metropolitan

Assemblies on how to refurbish these existing markets to minimize these

hazards and ensure the safety and security of our traders and their

properties whilst moving forward, they can design a blueprint that can help

build modern markets across the country and hopefully bring to an end the

misfortune of fire outbreaks in our markets.”

Though unannounced, Nana Akufo-Addo’s visit to the Abgobgloshie market

attracted a huge number of people who eventually abandoned their businesses

to accompany him and his entourage during their nearly one hour walk around

some portions of the market, mostly areas that were affected by the fire.

The policemen present at the market had a hectic time controlling the large

crowd that remained adamant in their resolve to catch a glimpse of the man

they see as Ghana’s hope for 2012.

He was accompanied by a number of NPP stalwarts, including former Mayor of

Accra, Nii Adjiri-Blankson, MP for Ayawaso Central, Sheik I. C. Quaye, and

some Greater Accra Regional Officers of the NPP.

Nana Akufo-Addo and his entourage later visited the Jamestown palace to

sympathise with the chiefs and elders on the loss of one of their

sub-chiefs.

*Source: Herbert Krapa*

* Press Aide*