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Accra Mayor Warns Makola Traders Against GH¢10,000 Shop Registration Scam as Redevelopment Progresses

The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has warned traders at Makola Market against individuals allegedly demanding GH¢10,000 to register their names for the allocation of shops in the new 31st December Material Stores redevelopment project.

Date Created : 10/30/2026 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : Mary Ayertey/Ghanadistricts.com

The warning came during an inspection of ongoing construction works on the four-storey facility on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The project is expected to replace the former single-storey structure with a modern commercial facility that will provide additional trading space, improve accessibility and accommodate more traders.

Accompanied by officials of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Mayor inspected various stages of construction, including foundation and ground-level concrete works, erected columns and structural preparations for the installation of elevators to facilitate movement between floors.

Interacting with workers, Hon. Allotey stressed the need to maintain the pace of construction to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Addressing traders after the inspection, he categorically denied that the Assembly had authorised any individual, group or task force member to collect money for registration or future shop allocation.

He expressed concern over reports that some persons were demanding GH¢10,000 from traders under the pretext of registering their names for shops in the new facility. He urged traders to disregard such demands, emphasising that registration at the Assembly was entirely free.

The Mayor further clarified that neither his office nor the Metropolitan Coordinating Director had approved any arrangement requiring traders to pay money to have their names recorded for consideration in the shop allocation process.

On the temporary trading arrangements, Hon. Allotey reminded affected traders that their current locations were temporary and should not be regarded as permanent entitlements to the spaces they occupy.

The redevelopment follows consultations between the AMA, affected traders and other stakeholders on arrangements for relocating businesses within the project area. In July 2026, the Assembly and representatives of the traders agreed on temporary relocation sites, including designated spaces at Rawlings Park and the Community Centre adjacent to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.

Under the agreement, the first phase of the project was expected to be completed within six months after the relocation of traders, while existing shop owners were to be given the first option in the allocation of shops upon completion.

The project forms part of the AMA’s broader efforts to modernise market infrastructure, address the shortage of designated trading spaces and reduce trading activities along roadsides and pedestrian walkways.