*Monday, November 22, 2010:-* The 2012 Presidential Candidate of the NPP,
Nana Akufo-Addo, has challenged all relevant public authorities in the
country; especially the Institutes of Engineers, Architects and Planners to
work in direct collaboration with the various District and Metropolitan
Assemblies across the country for the evolution and successful
implementation of modern prototype market designs that are not easily
susceptible to fire outbreaks, to be built across the country. This he hopes
will help forestall the recurrence of fire outbreaks in our markets moving
into the future.

He threw the challenge when he visited the Abgobgloshie market in Accra on
Monday to sympathise with the victims of the recent fire that gutted some
portions of the market last Friday.

Nana Akufo-Addo bemoaned what appears to be a high frequency of fire
outbreaks occurring in markets in the country in recent times, calling for
immediate steps to arrest the problem.

“There have been too many fire outbreaks in our markets lately, and it is
high time we took serious steps to bring the situation under control,” Nana
Akufo-Addo said to a thunderous applause from the large number of traders
who had gathered to catch a glimpse of him and listen to what he had to say
to them.

He added, “I am making a passionate appeal to the relevant authorities,
especially the Institutes of Engineers, Architects and Planners, to come out
with innovative plans for the construction of modern prototype markets that
will make it difficult for the recurrence of these fires.”

He stressed that “immediately, our professionals; the Architects, Engineers
and Planners can make recommendations to the District and Metropolitan
Assemblies on how to refurbish these existing markets to minimize these
hazards and ensure the safety and security of our traders and their
properties whilst moving forward, they can design a blueprint that can help
build modern markets across the country and hopefully bring to an end the
misfortune of fire outbreaks in our markets.”

Though unannounced, Nana Akufo-Addo’s visit to the Abgobgloshie market
attracted a huge number of people who eventually abandoned their businesses
to accompany him and his entourage during their nearly one hour walk around
some portions of the market, mostly areas that were affected by the fire.

The policemen present at the market had a hectic time controlling the large
crowd that remained adamant in their resolve to catch a glimpse of the man
they see as Ghana’s hope for 2012.

He was accompanied by a number of NPP stalwarts, including former Mayor of
Accra, Nii Adjiri-Blankson, MP for Ayawaso Central, Sheik I. C. Quaye, and
some Greater Accra Regional Officers of the NPP.

Nana Akufo-Addo and his entourage later visited the Jamestown palace to
sympathise with the chiefs and elders on the loss of one of their
sub-chiefs.
*Source: Herbert Krapa*
* Press Aide*