The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has called for the immediate closure or relocation of a livestock market situated at Kanda. This growing market operates close to the National Mosque in Accra. The committee cited significant concerns regarding sanitation and public order for its urgent demand.
According to the PAC, the daily trade in animals like cattle and goats has expanded greatly. This expansion is causing noticeable traffic jams and impacting the general cleanliness of the area. The committee believes this development is negatively affecting the image and orderly growth of Ghana's capital city. They feel intervention is needed quickly to prevent further environmental problems in a central part of Accra.
This situation raises questions about urban planning enforcement in Accra. The committee’s intervention highlights a conflict between informal economic activity and the government’s vision for a modern capital. In recent years, Ghana has focused on improving city aesthetics and public facilities. The unchecked expansion of this market seems to contradict those efforts. It also raises concerns about animal welfare and potential public health risks in a densely populated area.
The Vice Chairman of the PAC, Davis Opoku Ansah, who is also the MP for Mpraeso, expressed his strong disappointment. "The place has been turned into a cow-selling centre," he stated during an interview. "They sell goat, cow, and now camels," Mr. Opoku Ansah added. He criticized what he described as the authorities' failure to manage the market’s rapid growth. He noted that the market started small but has become a major trading hub for livestock.
The PAC’s demand signals a potential shift in how informal markets impacting public spaces are managed. City authorities and the regional administration are expected to respond swiftly to these concerns. Their actions will determine the future of this market and potentially set a precedent for other similar situations in Accra. This move could lead to discussions about alternative locations or improved regulation for such businesses.