Kantamanto Market is back in business seven months after a fire destroyed more than 7,000 shops, displaced 30,000 traders, and claimed one life.
At the reopening ceremony on Monday, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, called on traders to respect the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s Red Line Policy and support efforts to keep the market clean.
The Mayor announced a new daily toll of two cedis to replace the current market license fee of fifteen cedis. He explained that the change, which takes effect next year, is intended to make revenue collection more efficient and improve waste management.
“This fairer system will make life easier for traders while still helping us generate the revenue we need to manage refuse collection,” he said. “I assure you that all the revenue collected will be used to improve sanitation so that our market and streets remain clean and healthy for everyone.”
He also urged traders to stay behind the red line demarcations, warning that street trading causes congestion and puts lives at risk.
“I am not against any trader. I am only against disorder and congestion that block the progress of our city,” he said.
The Kantamanto Traders Association confirmed that members have agreed to pay the new daily toll to restore order and support sanitation after January’s fire.
