The Ministry of Trade is reviewing its trade policy to make domestic trade competitive, Trade Minister Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku announced on Wednesday.
Speaking to victims of the burnt Makola market annex two, popularly known as Tema Station, he said, under the review, the ministry would collaborate with District and Municipal Assemblies to provide safe, clean and well-managed markets including storage facilities.
He said there would also be a clear-cut policy on retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing to improve the efficiency of trade and reduce cost of doing business.
Dr Apraku expressed his sympathy to the victims and urged them to cultivate the habit of saving instead of keeping money in their stores and at home, which is at the mercy of fire and robbers.
He pledged government's readiness to assist in rehabilitating and resettling victims after investigations into the incident havde been completed. "Government is also prepared to co-operate with any non-governmental organisation, association and group that would want to assist the victims," he said.
The Trade Minister, who is also responsible for Industry, appealed to the traders not to construct unauthorised temporary and permanent structures to enable the Ghana National Fire Service to operate easily during fire outbreaks and engage the services of qualified electricians to do proper wiring of their premises and rectify faults.
