OLD TAFO MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY ENGAGED STAKEHOLDERS ON MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL INTERVENTION POLICIES ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2026.
The Old Tafo Municipal Assembly (OTMA) convened a high-level consultative meeting on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, with market women, traders, and key stakeholders to deliberate on the development, management, and improvement of the Old Tafo Market. The forum served as a platform to bridge the gap between the municipal authority and the trading community, focusing on infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and social welfare.
The meeting was graced by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Abubakr Sadiq, the Presiding Member, Honorable Assembly Members, the Deputy Director, and Municipal Heads of Departments and Units. Also present were the Traditional Representative of the Tafo King, Nana Acheampong, the Queen Mother of the Old Tafo Market, shop owners and other stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, The Deputy Director, Ms. Deborah Okrah, welcomed the stakeholders and outlined the primary objective of the gathering which is to interact directly with the market women, provide transparency regarding the Assembly’s ongoing projects, explain budgetary allocations, and address the specific challenges facing the trading community and also the duty of Old Tafo Municipal Assembly. The Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Abubakr Sadiq addressed the assembly regarding the municipality’s fiscal operations. He explained the structure of the annual budget, noting that it is divided into four phases, with each phase covering a three-month period. He emphasized the importance of tax compliance, urging the traders to fulfill their civic duties. He highlighted that in 2025, the government extended a credit facility of 39 million Ghana Cedis to support development.
The MCE detailed several key achievements and ongoing projects aimed at improving the quality of life in Old Tafo Municipal Assembly · Healthcare: Construction of Doctors’ bungalows to ensure easy access to healthcare services for residents of Tafo Hospital and Adabraka Hospital. · Water Crisis: Addressing water scarcity through the construction of 44 ongoing mechanized borehole water pipes. · Education: Construction of a 9-unit classroom block for Rockanje Preparatory School, as well as additional educational infrastructure in the Zongo community. · Roads and Sanitation: Collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and motorized tricycle known as Okada to address road crises. The Assembly addressed the matter of traffic congestion by undertaking the extension of Moro Market Road, Just FM Road and Assemblies of God Road, aimed at alleviating congestion.
Hon. Sadiq issued a stern warning regarding unauthorized trading on road pathways. He announced the impending demolition of buildings situated in unauthorized places along the roads and instructed traders to evacuate road paths immediately to ensure safety and free flow of traffic. The MCE reiterated the necessity of tax payment, warning that non-compliance would attract consequences. He also advised the market women to report tax collectors who demand unauthorized payments, urging them to pay only the approved rates to prevent exploitation.
Also speaking, Madam Gifty Amoako, representing the Environmental Officers and Social Welfare Department, engaged the market women on health and hygiene. She discussed dietary habits, market cleanliness, and the need to curb unauthorized noise pollution.
The Department of Social Welfare deliberated on several social intervention initiatives including; Disability Support: Encouraged registration for disability benefits covering education and livelihood support. Hon. Sadiq added that the government supports 61 disabled individuals based on their needs this year, with more assistance forthcoming. · Child Maintenance: Addressed issues regarding fathers neglecting their responsibilities post-divorce. · Health Insurance: Facilitated registration and renewal for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for all, including those without existing cards. · LEAP Program: Highlighted the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty program, which provides financial assistance to the vulnerable. · DOVVSU: Provided guidance on reporting missing or found children and also under Child maintenance, the Department addresses issues relating to fathers who fail to fulfil their financial obligations toward their children following divorce.
A comprehensive overview of the Old Tafo Municipal Assembly’s project portfolio was presented by Engineer David Osei Tutu, covering: 1. Six-unit classroom block with office and store at Tafo Rockanje Presby Primary School, located at3 Miles. 2. Three-unit classroom block at Islamic Badriya JHS at Baba Chibsa, and a two-unit kindergarten with washroom. 3. Office and store at Pankrono R/C Primary School. 4. One-storey, two-bedroom semi-detached accommodation for medical officers. 5. 45 ongoing borehole water projects.
Following the presentation by the Engineering Department, the floor was opened for stakeholder engagement, during which the market women and traders voiced their pressing concerns regarding the state of the Old Tafo Market. The discussions centered critical issues: sanitation and security crises within the market.
The traders lamented the poor sanitary conditions, citing inadequate waste disposal systems and the resulting health hazards that threaten their livelihoods and the well-being of their customers. They appealed to the Assembly for urgent intervention to improve waste management and maintain a clean market environment. Regarding security, the stakeholders, primarily the market women, voiced alarming concerns about their personal safety of traders and the security of their shops, citing theft as a key issue. They urged for the reinforcement of security measures, including the deployment of additional security personnel in the market. The stakeholders also shared other grievances pertaining to the market, including issues with infrastructure and the need for better market facilities. The Assembly leadership listened attentively and assured the traders that their concerns would be forwarded to the appropriate departments for immediate action.
In addition, Nana Acheampong, the Traditional Representative of the Tafo hene, encouraged the traders to engage openly and constructively with the Assembly. He emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving issues and urged the market women to prioritize their tax obligations to enable the Assembly to fund the needed improvements.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Abubakr Sadiq reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusivity. “Regardless of disability, the government is ready to support you,” he stated. He emphasized that persons with disabilities are welcome to contribute their potential to community development. He urged those requiring educational support or job opportunities to visit the Social Welfare office. He concluded by thanking the stakeholders for their attendance and assured them that their concerns regarding market sanitation and security would be addressed promptly. Finally, the consultative meeting concluded successfully, fostering a spirit of collaboration between the Old Tafo Municipal Assembly and the market community. The engagement provided clarity on municipal projects and social intervention programs while reinforcing the mutual responsibility of taxation and civic compliance. The Assembly’s commitment to addressing the sanitation and security concerns raised by the traders will be a key indicator of the meeting’s long-term success.