TAMALE'S POTENTIALS NOT FULLY TAPPED (PAGE 23, OCT 4, 2010)

THE Tamale Central Market, which is located within the central business district (CBD) of the metropolis, needs a facelift.
Members of the Progressive Traders Association (PTA) and visitors to the market have on countless occasions raised serious concerns about the poor facilities at the market. The muddy nature of the walkways anytime it rains is a major source of worry to residents as well.
Due to the poor nature of the walkways some residents are reluctant to go to the market to buy food items.
The spaces between the sheds and stores are almost always flooded.
It is common to see both men and women raising either their trousers or long skirts and dresses to prevent them from being stained by the muddy water.
Those who transact business there eventually come out of the market soaked with water and mud after they have bought their items.
The market is strategically located so travellers in big trucks to and from the Sahelian region stop by to buy food items. It was renovated by the traders in 1980, following a fire outbreak.
When contacted on the issue, the Public Affairs Manager of the TaMA, Mr Issah Musah, stated that the assembly was liaising with the PTA to help raise funds to help renovate the walkways and structures at the market.
That, he stated, would ultimately help to boost business activities in the metropolis.
Mr Musah, therefore, entreated traders to bear with the assembly while it took concrete steps to address the situation.
He acknowledged that the strategic location of the market was critical to boosting commercial activities in the metropolis, hence it must be put in good shape.
The Secretary to the PTA, Mr Thomas Ade, said that the PTA, in collaboration with the TaMA, was evolving effective strategies to sensitise traders to the dangers of fire outbreaks.
According to him, for years, conditions at the market had been of grave concern to the PTA members.
He suggested to the assembly to include the provision of security lights in the rehabilitation work to be done at the market.
Mr Ade was optimistic that patronage of the market would increase in the years ahead in spite of the many challenges confronting traders.