The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and material traders at the 31st December Market in Makola have reached a consensus on arrangements for their smooth relocation to temporary sites at Rawlings Park and the Community Centre within one month, ahead of the redevelopment of the market.

Under the agreement, the redevelopment project is expected to be completed within six months after the traders relocate, while existing shop owners will be given the first option in the allocation of shops upon completion.

The agreement was reached on Thursday, July 30, 2026 during a stakeholder meeting involving the AMA, representatives of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, the Ga Traditional Council, the Member of Parliament for Odododiodio, market associations and representatives of the affected traders.

As part of the relocation arrangements, the traders were expected to indicate their preferred temporary locations between Rawlings Park and the Community Centre and submit the names of their representatives to the Metropolitan Coordinating Director by 12 noon on Friday, July 31, 2026.

The parties also agreed to establish a working committee to oversee the relocation and redevelopment process and ensure that the concerns of the traders were addressed at every stage.

The committee would comprise two representatives each from the affected traders, the AMA and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, as well as one representative each from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, the Ga Traditional Council, the Office of the Member of Parliament for Odododiodio and the market association.

The committee would be responsible for validating the existing register of traders, preparing a detailed implementation schedule, and providing periodic updates on the progress of the redevelopment project.

Presenting the decisions and agreements reached during earlier engagements, the Metropolitan Coordinating Director,Mr Douglas N.K Annoful said previous discussions had produced six key decisions, including the preparation of a detailed, step-by-step implementation schedule for the project.

The decisions also required the identification and preparation of suitable temporary relocation sites to ensure that the traders could move without conflict or unnecessary disruption to their businesses.

The Assembly was also required to maintain regular communication with the interim leadership of the traders and provide updates on each stage of the project, including foundation works, blockwork, painting, and the allocation of shops.

Addressing the meeting, the Member of Parliament for Odododiodio,Hon. Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie said the engagement was intended to protect the livelihoods of the traders while allowing the Assembly’s development programme to proceed smoothly.

The legislator noted that the traders’ operations should not obstruct the Assembly’s development agenda, just as the redevelopment should not unfairly affect the livelihoods of the market, women and men.

Chairman of the affected traders, Ebenezer Biri-Korang, said the traders were not opposed to the redevelopment of the market and welcomed the framework presented at the meeting. requesting copies be provided to the traders to guide their participation and enable them to monitor the implementation of the agreed measures.

He pledged the cooperation of the traders and assured the Assembly and other stakeholders that they were prepared to support the smooth relocation and successful redevelopment of the 31st December Market.