Vision Statement by Greater Accra Market Women Association

1 VISION STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER ACCRA MARKET WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION Delivered by Ms. Mercy Afrowa Needjan Date: 26th November 2015 Venue: Mensvic Hotel, Accra -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION In Ghana, the informal sector forms over 70 percent of the economy and is largely characterised by markets. Markets form an integral part of our economy and society and the majority of traders in our markets are women. The role markets play in regional and national development cannot be overemphasised. IMPORTANCE OF MARKETS Markets serve as one of the major sources of revenue for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies. They offer employment opportunities most people, especially women, with limited capital. Some markets in Ghana serve as tourist sites (e.g. Makola and Agbogbloshie markets, the Arts Centre, the Aburi Arts and Crafts Village) and also contribute to community development. CURRENT STATE OF MARKETS Despite the important role markets play in the development of our economy and society, there are certain challenges they face, a few of which are as follows;  Poor sanitation;  Poor security, leading to frequent theft of items;  Rampant fires largely due to poor electrical wiring and unsafe practices (cooking with open fires in the market);  Congestion and limited space for expansion;  Flooding (e.g. Odawna market). THE MARKETS WE WANT IN FUTURE The markets we want in future as market women should be upgraded into modern structures with the following facilities;  Adequate space for trading;  Administration offices, shops, stores, stalls and financial institutions (banks);  Sanitation facilities;  Waste management facilities (waste bins and collection trucks);  Security and lighting REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Vision Statement by Greater Accra Market Women Association ©NDPC, 2015

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Warehouse and storage facilities; Disability access; Clinics and daycare centres; Fire prevention facilities (fire extinguishers, hydrants and fire tenders); Temperature control facilities for vegetables; Loading and off-loading areas; and Adequate parking space.

Market women in Ghana also need certain basic interventions to empower us. The following should be considered:  Involve market women in all stages of policy formulation and implementation;  Guaranteed soft loans for market women in order to expand our businesses;  Create a fund for market women to cater for our welfare and other purposes;  Appoint market women to leadership positons, e.g. members of District Assemblies;  Facilitate capacity building for market women in financial management (e.g. bookkeeping);  Sensitise market women on best food-handling practices so as to ensure a healthy livelihood for all;  Provide exchange programmes for market women to learn best practices and share knowledge and ideas;  Institute a social security system for market women for their retirement;  Institute insurance schemes for market women in the event of accidents, sickness, etc.  Educate market women on government polices such as the: - Intestate Succession Law - Domestic violence - Child abuse - Health and sanitation  Facilitate cross-border trade for market women, e.g. - Ghana-Burkina tomato trade - Ghana-Nigeria onion trade - Ghana-Togo clothing trade - Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire jewelry trade - Ghana-China-Thailand textile and clothing trade. A modern market makes a better Ghana. Let us all work together and be committed to making our markets better and safe for all. Thank you and God bless us all. REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Vision Statement by Greater Accra Market Women Association ©NDPC, 2015