Mr Kwamena Duncan, Central Regional Minister, has commissioned a new market at Agona Duakwa with a call on the users to desist from actions that will cause a fire outbreak at the market.

Work on the market stalls completed in 2017 was financed by the Central Regional Development Commission (CEDECOM), whilst 18 lockable stalls and a six-seater modern toilet were funded by Agona East District Assembly in 2018.

Mr Duncan said fire outbreaks in markets nationwide had become annual rituals with properties worth billions of Cedis being destroyed thereby rendering market women impoverished.

He said government cannot continue to pay huge sums of money as compensations to people as a result of fire and stressed the need for stringent actions to curb the menace.

The opening of the new market he noted would help boost the local economy in and around Agona Duakwa and urged traders in the hinterlands to patronize the market and warned against unnecessary quarrels and curses, which disturbed the peace. The Minister asked the women not to desert the market and trade on the roadside and but use it for their own benefit and safety. The Regional Minister also inspected a community center being constructed through self-help by the Chiefs and people of Agona Duakwa and donated 100 bags of cement to support its completion. The government would continue its agenda to improve on the living conditions of the people, he assured, adding that, the economy was on track and the benefits will soon be seen.

Mr Denis Armah-Frempong, Agona East District Chief Executive (DCE) said the construction of the new market at Duakwa would raise the internally generated funds (IGF) of the Assembly for more development projects.

He called on the Chiefs and elders of Duakwa to help stop the traders from creating satellite markets in the various communities.

He stressed that they should patronize the new market and not treat it as was done the new market at Nsaba, where it was left empty.

According to him, the Assembly's IGF was not encouraging and everything possible should be done to motivate revenue collectors. He cautioned market women not to connive with the revenue collectors to cheat the Assembly.

The DCE stated that Thursdays have been earmarked as market days and traders should not send their wares and foodstuffs to other market centers to the detriment of Duakwa market.

Nana Kojo Amoakwa V, Chief of Agona Duakwa said the new market had brought joy to the people, especially market women who travel to Agona Swedru, Kasoa, Awutu Bawjiase and Accra to sell their goods.

He praised the Agona East District Assembly, CEDECOM and Mr. Joe Appeah, a former Board Member of the Commission for his instrumentality that gave birth to the construction of the market at Duakwa.

Nana Amoakwa who is also the Krontihnene of Nyakrom Traditional Area, cautioned market women against quarrels which will attract summons to his palace and subsequent penalty.

The Chief called on the Assembly to engage day and night security to avert stealing of items from the market.