News
Ho traders unhappy about allocation of market stalls
The Ho Central Market Traders Association has raised red flag over the allocation of market stalls in the newly constructed market, describing the processes as fraudulent and politically motivated.
They have, therefore, appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), to intervene and ensure that fairness prevailed in the process of allocation.
Addressing a news conference in Ho, yesterday, the Assistant Market Queen of Ho, Madam Christine Fansey, said the traders would be left with no option than to hit the streets if nothing was done about the situation.
“We shall take to the streets naked in a protest against the injustice inflicted on us by the assembly if nothing is done about the situation,” she added.
Madam Fansey said the construction of the new market was at the instance of the association, which had membership of 4,800, in 2012.
She claimed the New Patriotic Party, which was then in opposition, vehemently campaigned against the project, describing it as a ‘ghost project’ aimed at soliciting votes from people.
Madam Fansey said “Now, the assembly has denied us many stalls in the market and rather allocated them on ‘sellers-on-protocol’ basis to affluent entrepreneurs who are not even sellers in the Ho Central Market.”
The Assistant Market Queen sought to know why the ‘Prophets of Doom’ of the Ho Central Market project were now sharing the market stalls to their political party members, families and friends.
According to her, previous engagements between the association and the assembly on the issue yielded no positive results.
“We feel cheated, marginalised and traumatised by this state of affair,” Madam Fansey added.
She said that apart from going naked on the streets, members of the association would also stop paying market tolls if the MLGRD failed to intervene in the matter in five days.
Madam Fansey warned that the unmerited allocation of the markets stalls was set to the turn the Ho Central Market into a white elephant, “because we will not stand aside and look on unconcerned while this happens.”
Source: Ghanaian Times
News
Intake of ‘Gobe’ can prevent heart diseases —Nutritionists
Nutritionists have advised Ghanaians to eat more beans-based meals, including the popular local dish, gari and beans, also known as ‘Gobe’ to prevent heart diseases. They said incidences of obesity and cancer could be minimised with the regular intake of beans meals.
At a programme in Accra to mark the World Pulses ( Beans) Day on Monday, Mr Wise Chukudi Letsa, Nutritionist and Dietician, who spoke on the topic: ‘Beans: The Super Food for Healthy Living and Healthy Farmlands,’ admonished Ghanaians to include beans in their diets.
Mr Letsa said beans was rich in protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, irons and other nutrients and contained just a little fat. Mr Letsa, a Nutritionist with Lets Consult, stated that the presence of those nutrients in beans explained why its intake could prevent heart diseases and other ailments, hence the need to consume it regularly.
The event, dubbed: ‘Meatless Monday’ was organised by the Communications Initiative for Change (CIC), a Ghanaian non-profit organisation.
The ‘Meatless Monday’ is an initiative aimed at encouraging Ghanaians to reduce their intake of meat by taking in more beans-based meals on every Monday of a week.
It was launched after the United Nations in 2019, set aside February 10 to celebrate and encourage the consumption of pulses (beans) worldwide. This year’s celebration was hinged on the theme: ‘Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems.’
Mr Peter Agbovi, National Secretary, Chefs Association of Ghana, said a variety of meals could be prepared with beans, which include Waakye (rice and beans), Kose (beans paste made into cakes), Ayikple, Aboboi, Tuo Zaafi, Akyeke, and kakro.
He encouraged Ghanaians to consume more of those foods to stay healthy.
Mr Emmanuel Fiagbey, the Executive Director, CIC, indicated that even if people could not eat beans-based meals regularly, efforts should be made to consume them every Monday.
He said that was the essence of the introduction of the ‘Meatless Monday’ initiative. -GNA
News
Restore beauty of Kwame Nkrumah Circle area / State of Kwame Nkrumah Circle an eyesore!
Small size quarry stones fixed at open spaces under the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange was to leave the place open and free from activities of beggars and other activities of the homeless.
By the way the stones were fixed, it makes the area, particularly the VIP and Neoplan Station stretch of the Interchange, inhabitable by the destitute.
But a walk through the area currently suggest the opposite.
At the median where pavement blocks have been taken over by these homeless and destitute, the area has been turned into a hotel where a number of these unfortunate ones have comfortably laid their mattresses and other stuff to rest from the day’s activities.
They have crossed over to the SSNIT and Kaneshie Station area with their activities and have removed the quarry stones which were to ward them off the place to enable them find spaces to sleep comfortably.
The pavement blocks removed from different locations under the interchange now serves as foundations on which beds were laid and in some cases, mosquito nets erected.
Their continued presence is not only creating a nuisance for commuters but marring the beauty and serenity of the place.
Sadly, the activities of these deprived fellows have been ignored while the numbers keep increasing day by day.
The Spectator finds the development very worrying and calls on the responsible authorities to clear the area to restore the beauty and serenity of the area.
By Victor A. Buxton
