Drug addicts have now taken over the Salaga Market in Accra which was abandoned when market women were asked to vacate the building in 1996 for renovation.
Sixteen years after the women�s exit, work at the market, which used to house over 500 traders, has remained at a standstill while the women are forced to sell outside the market.
The Finder�s visit to the market, situated around Bukom in the central business district of Accra, was met with a waft of marijuana smoke around the vicinity of the market.
Interviews with some eyewitnesses confirmed the information that wee smokers and other drug peddlers have turned the place into their homes and were plying their trade there.
One source told The Finder that some criminals have also taken advantage of the situation and were using the place as their hide-out.
Ironically, the market women were promised when they were asked to leave that the renovation would only take three months to be completed.
This has not been fulfilled and the market women have to endure the dangers of criminal attacks as well as marijuana smoke.
In this rainy season, they are prevented from selling by the build up of water in their temporary sheds.
Some of the market women who spoke to The Finder stated that their continuous stay in the tent outside the market was affecting their businesses.
According to one market woman, �When it rains the entire place becomes flooded and we are unable to sell our goods.�
They stated that even though the market had a car park, the soggy surroundings had made it impossible for them to use the park.
They pleaded with the government to come to their aid, adding that �successive governments have come and gone with promises to help but they have continuously failed us.�
A group of men The Finder spoke to in the abandoned market denied being criminals. They said they stayed in the market to secure the goods of the traders.
Speaking on the issue, the Deputy Director of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr Ben Armah, revealed that the AMA last month advertised for tenders for the renovation of the market.
According to him, three companies have so far been shortlisted for the job, and added that the contract would soon be awarded for renovation to commence.
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