Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ishmael Ashitey, on Friday 26th June 2020 cut sod for the redevelopment and construction of Dodowa and Asutuare markets respectively in the Shai Osudoku Constituency. The projects are funded by the Coastal Development Authority (CODA) as part of the constituency’s allocation of one million dollars under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) of the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives (MSDI).

Addressing chiefs and people of the constituency at the ground-breaking ceremony, Mr Ashitey thanked CODA for approving the projects. According to him, it was his “cherished expectation that this project will improve the economic well-being of the people, generate more revenue for the Assembly and bring the desired development activities to this Municipality.”

He highlighted that the “Covid-19 outbreak has exposed the safety and security challenges in our markets and the urgent need to have modern markets to deal with” the pressing socio-economic challenges confronting Shai Osudoku constituents, most of whom are engaged in petty trading, fishing, farming and other informal sector occupations.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Shai Osudoku Municipal Assembly, Daniel Akuffo was elated to see the projects take off as they had been on the drawing board for more than two decades.

He expressed gratitude to the Authority for the projects, adding that it is “in the pursuit of enhancing the income level of our people and also to sustain agricultural and industrial productivity that the Assembly has prioritised the redevelopment and construction of both markets at Dodowa and Asutuare". Mr Akuffo called on constituents to rally and work together for the success of the projects.

Dodowa Market

The new Dodowa Market complex will have forty (40) lockable shops, forty (40) open shops and a crèche. The ground will also be paved to make it convenient and sanitary for traders to ply their trade.

Asutuare Market

The first phase of the Asutuare Market, which includes forty (40) open sheds, has been completed. The second phase, for which sod was cut, will have forty (40) lockable shops, a crèche with the ground paved to make it safe and serene.

Financial Support to traders

In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CODA, Lawyer Jerry Ahmed Shaib made it known that the Authority, through the CODA Credit Union, will provide microcredit facilities to traders to empower them to boost their businesses to continue to take care of their families since most traders are breadwinners of their families. He encouraged potential beneficiaries of the support to endeavor to repay within the stipulated period to ensure sustainability of the initiative.

Lawyer Jerry Ahmed Shaib also assured that, in line with the CODA’s local content policy, the contractor for the projects will be required to recruit artisans and other workers from the Shai Osudoku to enable the constituents to benefit from the income-earning opportunities that the construction works will offer.

CODA Wear Your Mask campaign

The Authority, through the Regional Minister, presented 2000 facemasks each to residents of Dodowa and Asutuare communities.

The items were received by representatives of market women, Muslim community, clergy, traditional authorities, Ghana Police and people living with disability. CODA is running an intensive public education campaign on COVID-19 and distributing PPEs to identified vulnerable people within the Coastal Development Zone as a way to help stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.