The leaders of the Greater Accra Market Association (GAMA), have pledged their support to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to construct modern markets in Accra.

They called on the AMA to ensure that the market women who were occupying their stalls and stores are given preference when the project is completed.

Madam Mercy Afoowa Needjan, President of the GAMA made the pledge on behalf of the members, when they met with the First Lady, Mrs Lodina Mahama, Dr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive and Madam Sherry Aryeetey, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture to acquaint themselves with the problems facing the 13 markets in Accra.

Madam Needjan commended the AMA for its bold initiative and policies aimed at developing the markets in Accra through the public private partnership that would result in improving the living conditions of the market women.

She expressed gratitude to the AMA for donating a 33-seater Nissan Civilian bus to the Association to facilitate their work.

Madam Needjan also congratulated the Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loan Centre (MASLOC), Mrs Sedinam Tamakloe-Attionu, for the good work done in ensuring that victims of the market fires were assisted with loans.

Dr Vanderpuije in an address told the market women that the AMA would construct modern markets in Accra to curb the rampant fire outbreaks.

He said the AMA would open tender by August and after that enter into agreements with the private sector to construct the markets within two years.

He gave the assurance that every registered trader in the markets would not be displaced as their stalls and stores would be returned to them after the completion of the project.

Dr Vanderpuije expressed gratitude to the MASLOC for coming to the aid of the market women when their items were destroyed by fire.

“We have resolved to continue to work hard to ensure the dredging and desilting of the Korle Lagoon to curb the perennial flooding,” he said.

Mrs Mahama donated the 33-seater bus to the Association on behalf of the AMA.