The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has agreed to a request from traders occupying low-rise commercial shops at the Makola Market in the Central Business District (CBD) to cease operations by the second week of January 2026 to allow for the commencement of a major redevelopment project.
The decision was reached on Tuesday during a meeting between the AMA, chaired by the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, and representatives of the traders as part of ongoing consultations on the roadmap for redeveloping the market into a modern, multi-purpose commercial hub.
Speaking after accepting the traders’ plea, Mayor Allotey announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed to bind all parties to the agreed timeline.
He explained that the MoU would ensure mutual accountability and clarity on the January commitment and emphasised that the project was part of his vision to leave a lasting legacy for the city.
“If I am able to manage the city well and keep it clean, posterity will judge me, we have all agreed to the January deadline, and I will make sure we all adhere to it. Let your yes be your yes and your no be your no,” he said.
Mayor Allotey reiterated that the redevelopment would transform the Makola Market into a high-rise multi-purpose facility designed to address chronic congestion, create more trading space, and enhance sanitation and safety in the CBD.
"The project will create more trading spaces for displaced traders and free up pedestrian walkways and access roads currently obstructed by informal trading activities," he said.
Mayor Allotey also assured traders that the Assembly was committed to transparency and fairness throughout the process stressing that a detailed data collection exercise would be conducted to capture the details of all affected traders, including Ghana Card details, photographs and shop records, to ensure that rightful occupants were prioritised when allocation of new spaces begins.
The Mayor assured that regular engagements would be held with the traders and other stakeholders to provide updates and address any emerging concerns ahead of the January deadline.
The meeting was also attended by the Member of Parliament for Odododiodio, who expressed gratitude to the Mayor for his listening ear and commitment to dialogue.
He said he was hopeful that the traders would honour their own deadline, describing adherence to the agreement as a test of trust and integrity.
“We must build trust and integrity,” the MP stated, adding, “You will disgrace me if you don’t adhere to the agreement, and if that happens, I will not plead for anyone.”