Accra, Jan. 27, GNA - The Makola Annex Market Women's Association has taken over the administration of the public places of convenience at the market. This was disclosed to newsmen by the Secretary of the Association, Madam Mercy Needjan, flanked by Madam Rosemary Laryea, Organiser and Mrs. Joanah Agbeve, leader of Cloth Sellers and an executive member of the Association in Accra.

Madam Needjan said certain facilities, including the toilet, urinal, a day care centre and a warehouse were provided at the market which they contributed to develop. She said the Association was in-charge of the administration of the sanitary facilities but on January 10 2001, three days after the inauguration of the new government, a group of "macho men" invaded the market and took over the administration of the toilet. Madam Needjan said in the confusion following the action, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) also came in and took over the administration of the facility.

She said the Association expected the AMA to call the factions to find a solution to the impasse but to their surprise the toilet was leased to one Alhaji Musah.

According to Madam Laryea the warehouse was also leased to one Mr. Mensah and an Auntie Maggie while wares of members of the Association were kept in the open at the mercy of the weather. Mrs. Agbeve appealed to Mr. Mensah who had locked up the warehouse to either allow the market women keep their wares in it or quit for the Association to manage it for the benefit of its members. She appealed to the authorities to investigate an agreement between the Ashiedu Keteke Sub Metropolitan District Council and a Koajay Limited leasing the toilet to the company for 20 years in a deal that the Association suspected not to be transparent.