The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey has assured traders of plans to upgrade the Tuesday Market in the Ablekuma South Sub-Metropolitan District to end what he described as trading “in the sand” by 2027, as part of efforts to improve market infrastructure in the capital.

He said the President had tasked city authorities to ensure that markets were properly developed to support dignified trading conditions, stressing that traders should not be made to operate on bare, sandy grounds.

Mayor Allotey made the remarks when he paid a working visit to the Tuesday Market on Monday to interact with traders and assess conditions on the ground.

He expressed confidence that within a year, the entire market area would be fully cemented, adding that the upgrade would be pursued alongside reconstruction works aimed at positioning the Tuesday Market to operate as a 24-hour facility.

The Mayor explained that a 24-hour market system would enable trading activities to continue in shifts, noting that when one group became tired and returned home, another would take over to ensure business continued without interruption.

He appealed to traders and residents to support the planned transformation with prayers and urged that the prayers should include the President, H.E President John Dramani Mahama, whom he said was committed to ensuring that by next year traders would no longer have to walk on sand in the market.

He was hopeful to return in the coming year to extend New Year greetings under improved conditions, adding that he wished his next visit would coincide with the commissioning of a reconstructed Tuesday Market.

The Mayor, accompanied by the Metro Coordinating Director and Finance Director, Mr. Douglas N. K. Annoful and Mr. Abeeku Amissah, respectively, also inspected some stalled project sites in the metropolis, including the Sempe School project site.