President John Evans Atta Mills, on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to the Maamobi, Nima and Mallam Atta markets, in Accra, and said that Government was committed to improving the welfare of Ghanaians
The President, wearing a blue short-sleeve shirt over a pair of jeans trousers and a pair of boots, was given a rousing welcome in all the three markets, amidst singing, clapping, drumming and dancing by the thrilled crowd.
He was at the markets to find challenges to enable him improve upon the conditions there.President Mills went through the nooks and cranny of all the three markets and the traders poured out to welcome him, expressing their delight at meeting him.
At the Maamobi market, President Mills interacted with the market women at the vegetable and groceries section, meat and other staples and went through stalls to inspect the market.
Problems put before him at the market included congestion, poor sanitation, very old structures, poor drainage and threat by land owners to eject the traders as a result of a reported litigation.
President Mills assured the traders that Government still cared for them and would in no way abandon them. He said there would be visible changes at the markets after his visit, and that Government had plans for the market women and traders.
The President surged through the milling crowd and into his open top waiting vehicle and standing, waved a mini flag of Ghana in acknowledgement of the excited crowd.
The crowd chanted songs to acknowledge President Mills, who is seeking a second term on the ticket of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party in Election 2012.
President Mills and his entourage had to “snake” their way through the principal streets to the Nima market, where he interacted with the traders.
The market virtually turned into a rally ground as people came out in their numbers to welcome the President amidst singing, drumming and dancing.
The people chanted slogan such as “Four years more; Still Better Ghana; Yedi Nkonim awie and The Humble President”. President Mill interacted with the traders, cuddled a child and assured the people that Government would not abandoned them.
He later bought five balls of kenkey at GHc 2.50 from Madam Agartha Akpaloo to discount media report that kenkey was selling at GHc 1.00 in Accra.
A trader at the market, Madam Akpene Dzimasa was full of appreciation to the President, and explained that he was the first President to have visited the market in her life time. The President was given a similar welcome at the Mallam Atta Market where he gave similar assurances.
Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuye, Mayor of Accra announced that approval had been granted for the market to be redeveloped. He said the project, which involved cementing of the ground will start in two months. The queen mother of the market Asafoanye Ogbedei thanked the president for the visit.
Accompanying the president were Nii Armah Ashitey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Kobby Acheampong, Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Dr Mustapha Ahmed MP for Ayawaso East.
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