Artisans at 'Kokompe' prepare for decongestion

By George Akomeah & David Andoh

The Greater Accra Second-hand Spare Parts Dealers Association, GASSDA, has stepped up preparations to move from 'Kokompe' to their new site at Anyaa, a suburb of Accra, in view of the ongoing decongestion exercise by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to give the city a facelift.

Mr. Emmanuel Allotey, GASSDA Chairman disclosing this to Sunday World in an interview said, "in 1993 the Government granted us about 85.1 acres of land at Anyaa when we made the initial move to quit Kokompe".

GASSDA has lost about 12 acres of the land at Anyaa to encroachers already. AMA's decongestion exercise has extended to Kaneshie, which is not too far from Kokompe, hence, the association believes that decongestion at Kokompe is very imminent. "We do not want the AMA to issue us official quit notice before we move" said Mr. Allotey.

They have sought the assistance of Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund (BUSAC) to develop the land. BUSAC Fund is a project funded by international donors whose aim is to assist the Private Sector in policy formulation and implementation.

Two weeks ago, GASSDA organised sensitization programme for their members to enlighten them about the various procedures for their transfer to Anyaa. The programme was part of BUSAC requirements to aid the association. GASSDA has commissioned some engineers and estate surveyors to prepare a report on the development plan of their new site for them.

GASSDA's market at Kokompe is expanding as several unemployed youths are seeking apprenticeship in auto mechanics, welding, spraying, and dustbin and coal pots manufacturing. Kokompe has more than 1000 spare parts dealers and a little over 2000 store assistants.

Currently, Kokompe lacks basic social facilities such as toilet, water, parking space, etc. "We have had to deal with instances of accidents because our members park their cars by road sides" Mr. Victor Amoah, GASSDA's vice chairman revealed. The proposed site at Anyaa will have hospitals, hotels, schools, service stations, restaurants, and houses for members.