Ministry allocates funds to upgrade of satellite markets

Kumasi, Aug 31, GNA - The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment has allocated 12 billion cedis to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to upgrade some satellite markets in the metropolis.

These include the Asafo, Bantama, Amakom, Patasi, Kwadaso, and Moro Race Course markets.

Their completion would enable hawkers in the streets and pavements in the central business district to be relocated to the markets. Madam Patricia Appiagyei, KMA Chief Executive, said this at the last ordinary meeting of the assembly on Wednesday. She said out of the one billion cedis budgeted by the assembly for the Poverty Alleviation Scheme for this year, 750 million cedis have been disbursed to beneficiary groups and individuals. Madam Appiagyei said with the property re-valuation exercise completed by the Valuation Board, property rates had increased the collection of internally generated funds.

She said waste management had been a major problem facing the assembly but expressed the hope that with the introduction of periodic clean-up exercises, the situation would improve. Madam Appiagyei said the assembly had made available 200 million cedis to provide scholarship to a number of students. The assembly unanimously resolved to raise 10 billion cedis towards the redevelopment of the Jackson Park in Kumasi. It will buy two graders at a cost of 3.8 billion cedis towards the rehabilitation of the road network in the metropolis.

Nana Kofi Senya, Presiding Member of the Assembly, addressed the need for the assembly to engage the services of lawyers to assist the Assembly in its operations.