Government donates food items to traders

Kumasi, June 11, GNA - The Government on Wednesday donated food items to traders who were affected by fire outbreak which occurred at the Kumasi Central Market on May 28.

The items were 100 bags of rice, 100 bags of maize, 40 cartons of canned fish and 40 cartons of cooking oil.

The First Lady, Mrs. Naadu Mills who made the donation on behalf of the government after inspecting the destroyed market said though small, the items would support the affected traders to some extent.

She stressed that President Mills and his government had been touched by the unfortunate incident and that no donation could pay for the loss. The First Lady was optimistic that the traders would cooperate with the authorities to construct new stores for them.

Mr. Kofi Opoku-Manu, Ashanti Regional Minster, said the government was committed to the reconstruction of the market which has been on the drawing board for long.

He said the stalls would be built and re-distributed to affected traders, stressing that the government would ensure that all affected people benefited from the facility and called for their cooperation. Mr. Opoku-Manu emphasised that the government was not doing politics with the market but was concerned with the development and the welfare of the people.

Mr. Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Ashanti Regional NDC Chairman, said the destruction of the market was the concern of everybody and "we will do what is befitting the traders to continue with the business". Mr. Boakye Yiadom, a spokesman for the affected traders thanked the First Lady for the visit and the government for showing concern to their plight.

He however suggested that the government should allow them to construct their own stalls temporally. He said they were prepared to build the market with their own money because they feared they might lose the stores if the government came in to rebuild. 11 June 09