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Three markets in Agona Swedru were on May 5 closed to business and economic activities temporarily due to non-adherence to social distancing by traders at the markets.

The affected markets are the Main, Mandela markets and a satellite market created at the Narrow Way school park primarily to reduce the numbers at the two markets.

The assembly, in its quest to avert the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, had put in place numerous measures such as the supply of sanitary items, intensification of public education and observance of social distancing, particularly at markets.

The assembly through the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) had had series of meetings and engagements with the leadership of the markets to ensure strict adherence to social distancing but it had proved unsuccessful.

In its quest to reduce the numbers at the Main and Mandela markets to allow the traders to adhere to social distancing and to control the spread of the virus, the assembly created a satellite market at the Swedru Narrow Way School park.

Unfortunately, the traders had abandoned the place and returned to the two markets to transact business, resulting in congestion and exposing them to danger.

The traders at both markets have disregarded the directive on social distancing which exposed both traders and buyers, compelling the assembly to temporarily close down the markets to stem the spread of the virus.

Release

The Municipal Assembly in a release signed by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, announcing the closure said “the Municipal Security Council at its emergency meeting on Thursday April 30, 2020 with representatives of market women and chiefs in attendance arrived at the decision to temporary close the Main, Mandela and Narrow way satellite markets."

According to the statement, the closure of the affected markets is effective Tuesday, May 5, 2019 in view of the non-adherence to social and physical distancing and further directed the wearing of face masks in the municipality.

Additionally, the assembly had directed commercial drivers to ensure that all passengers wear face masks before being allowed to board their vehicles and further directed that “no face masks, no entry” notices should be displayed at vantage points including but not limited to public and private offices, lorry stations, shops, markets, banks, hospitals among others.

“All are to take note that failure to adhere to the above mentioned directives will compel the municipal assembly to employ all legal means to ensure strict compliance,” it concluded.

Interest of traders

Confirming the decision in an interview, Mrs Assan said that the Assembly’s decision is in the ultimate interest of the traders since the assembly is being proactive to prevent the spread of the virus in the town.

She mentioned that despite several appeals to the traders to observe social distancing in the markets to protect themselves from being infected by the virus, they had not respected it which forced the assembly to take such a difficult decision.

He noted that due to the location of Swedru, many traders and buyers trooped to the town, particularly the markets on daily basis and that if care was not taken, the virus could easily spread in the town with its attendant consequences on nearby communities.

She said “the assembly is not oblivious of the immediate effects of the closure of the markets on users but would rather take steps to protect the lives of the people and not allow people crowd in the markets to contract the virus”.

Way forward

Touching on the way forward, she indicated that no alternative place would be made available for the traders to trade after the closure of the markets, stressing that “ traders would also not be allowed to sell anywhere near the market and that those who would flout it would be severely dealt with according to the law”.

She explained that the affected markets would be opened on condition that the traders would adhere strictly to social distancing, indicating that the assembly was ready to dialogue with the leadership of the traders for an amicable settlement of the issue.

“If the traders are ready to observe social distancing in the markets to control the spread of the virus, the markets would be opened to them to do business,” the MCE noted.

In an interview with some of the traders, they noted that the assembly’s decision would have dire consequences on them and pleaded with the assembly to reconsider it for their mutual benefit.

They rather urged management of the assembly to do constant monitoring in the markets through its taskforce to ensure that traders are not crowded in the markets since the closure would bring untold hardships on them and their families.