Suspend Makola demolition for dialogue — Gender Minister to AMA

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has urged the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to suspend its planned demolition exercise at the 31st December Makola Market to allow for further stakeholder consultations.

The appeal follows concerns raised by traders, who say the exercise is being carried out without adequate engagement and without alternative trading spaces being provided ahead of the demolition.

Speaking to journalists after meeting leaders of the traders, Naa Momo Lartey said government remained committed to ensuring a peaceful and inclusive development process that balances the interests of all parties.

“There’s no place that you can have development that there will not be discomfort, but we don’t want one side to shoulder all the discomfort,” she said.

“We don’t want just the Metro to shoulder all the discomfort. Neither do we want the market women and the others to shoulder all the discomfort. So we want to find a middle ground,” she added.

Asked whether she was calling for a suspension of the demolition pending negotiations, the Minister replied: “Yes, that is what I’m saying now. That it would be good that we sit and listen to each other.”

 Naa Momo Lartey said some of the concerns and claims surrounding the planned exercise had not yet been substantiated and urged all stakeholders to approach discussions calmly and without emotion.

“They should go into this negotiation devoid of emotions, devoid of hearsays,” she said, warning that some individuals exploit sensitive situations to inflame tensions and pursue personal interests.

The Minister disclosed that she had already engaged the Mayor of Accra and expressed optimism that further discussions could help resolve the impasse.

“Thankfully, the leadership has agreed to this. And so once they’ve agreed to this, we’re going to sit down and make sure that we make progress devoid of emotions,” she said.

She added that taking a few extra days for dialogue would not undermine the broader redevelopment agenda.

“Today is Saturday. Sunday, Monday — within these few days, sitting down some extra days and waiting to hear each other will not be bad,” she stated.

On concerns that traders could lose their shops and livelihoods after redevelopment works are completed, Dr Lartey said discussions were currently focused on resolving the immediate standoff before addressing long-term arrangements.

“All of this, by way of roadmap, will come into the discussions, but I don’t want to jump ahead of those critically involved,” she said.