Kpando, (Volta Region), 29 Jan. ’99 – The Kpando market women association and the district assembly have called for an early resumption of work on a 250 million-cedi market being put up under the Agricultural Sector Investment Project (ASIP) in the town. Miss Akua Dansua, Kpando district chief executive and Madam Mercy Abada, secretary to the market women association, made the appeal when Alhaji Seidu Iddi, Volta regional minister, inspected the project on which work has been suspended. Miss Dansua said the suspension since 1996 is creating anxiety among the market women whose livelihood depended on the market. The district secretary said the assembly has been doing its best to allay the fears of the women but they are still apprehensive. Madam Abada, said the market women are being threatened with ejection from where they are presently operating. Mr Stephen Okrah, district budget officer who briefed the regional minister, said the district assembly paid its share of 81 million cedis towards the project which was started in 1996 and was scheduled to be completed in four months. He said ASIP abrogated the contract when the contractor, Benwall company limited, failed to meet its obligations towards the project. Mr Okrah said the market has been planned to have 233 sheds, a lorry park and modern toilet facilities. Alhaji Iddi appealed to the women to be patient and explaining that the project, which is being sponsored by the world bank, would require the bank’s approval before work is resumed adding “this normally takes some time.” He however assured them that the project would definitely be completed. Mr Kwasi Aboagye, deputy Volta regional minister appealed to the women not to re-stage their 1991 demonstration which was under a similar situation because such an action would be a drawback on the project.
