The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has met with the leadership of Kantamanto Market in the Central Business District (CBD) to discuss ways of enhancing services provided by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), improving public safety, and making the market more accessible for traders and customers alike.

The engagement, held as part of the Assembly’s broader consultative approach to urban development, brought together key market leaders including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Johnson Djan-Yeboah of the Railways District, Samuel Amoah (Vice President of the Kantamanto Obroni Wawu Association), Michael Oppong, alias “Honourable” (Chairman of the Used Clothes Sellers Association), and Adutwum Atta Manu (Market Manager and Secretary).

Addressing the gathering, Mayor Allotey reiterated his commitment to upgrading the market environment through improved infrastructure and essential services to enhance public safety and create a more conducive atmosphere for business operations.

The Mayor explained that his administration’s development agenda would align with the traders’ plans for the market, noting that collaboration was key to achieving long-term improvements.

“I have heard you already have your plans. I am not here to disrupt them but rather to integrate the AMA’s services into them in a way that benefits all of us. We must work together to make this market safer, cleaner, and more functional,” he stated.

Touching on the collection of market tolls and their relevance to sustaining the services provided by the Assembly, the Mayor stressed the need for traders to pay the mandated GHC 2 tolls and called on them to insist on receiving official receipts to avoid being defrauded.

"These tolls are not for personal gain; they are reinvested into development projects, waste management, sanitation, and maintenance of facilities. Every cedi paid goes back into making this market better,” he emphasized.

The Coordinating Director of the AMA, Mr. Douglas Annoful, in a remark revealed that an enforcement exercise had highlighted two major issues: licensing and ticketing.

“At the end of the day, the decision rests with the Assembly. They can propose that licensing fees be pegged at GHC 40, GHC 50, or even GHC 60, and tolls at GHC 2. But any such proposal would first go through consultation with Assembly Members,” he noted.

On waste management challenges, the Coordinating Director disclosed that the Assembly spends more funds on fuel alone to transport refuse collected from the market to designated dumping sites in Nsawam.

“This market generates a lot of waste, which the AMA clears overnight using four tipper trucks and pay loaders. The traders dump the waste along the roadside, expecting the AMA to pick it up. We do so without fail, but it costs us a lot,” he said.

He outlined the achievements of the current administration, including the rehabilitation of roads at UTC and PZ, which was completed within two days, and the replacement of missing metal gratings over open drains from the Makola Fire Station through to the Mantse Tackie Tawiah statue, interventions that have significantly improved public safety.

“These projects, as well as increased staffing at the Assembly, all require funding. That’s why we are asking for your cooperation in fulfilling your obligations so we can continue delivering results,” he added.

The Vice Chairman of the market association, Samuel Amoah, expressed appreciation for the Mayor’s visit and pledged the traders’ support for the AMA’s vision, describing the meeting as timely and encouraging.

The Mayor was accompanied by the MCE for Korle Klottey, Hon. Alfred Allotey-Gaisie, the Metro Coordinating Director, Mr. Douglas Annoful , the Metro Finance Director Abeeku Amissah and other officials from the Assembly.