Afienya Bleeds Economically As Lack of Market Push Traders to the Roadside

By: Nana Kwasi Roka

Afienya, a rapidly expanding community in the Ningo Prampram Municipality, is fast becoming a difficult place for small and medium-scale businesses to survive, as the town continues to operate without both a standard market and a single banking facility – a situation residents describe as unacceptable, alarming and economically crippling.

In a series of random interviews conducted by ghanaiandemocrat.com, residents and business owners, without exception, complained bitterly about the complete absence of banking services and a designated market space in the community. Many described the situation as one that has stalled growth, discouraged investment and placed unnecessary hardship on ordinary traders.

With no official market, traders have been forced to sell their goods along the roadside, exposing themselves not only to the scorching sun and occasional heavy downpour but also to the constant danger posed by fast-moving vehicles.

“When it rains, we run. When the sun is hot, we suffer. But we have no other option because there is no market,” a tomato seller told ghanaiandemocrat.com. “We are only here because we want to survive.”

The situation has worsened following the ongoing construction of the Afienya – Doryumu junction road, which has displaced several traders who previously operated along that stretch. With little or no alternative space provided, many now struggle to find safe and suitable places to display their wares, while others have been forced to suspend their businesses completely.

“This problem would not have happened if there was already a market in Afienya,” another trader lamented. “Everything is developing here, yet we don’t even have a basic place to trade.”

In response to the growing hardship, the people of Afienya are appealing to the government through their Member of Parliament, Hon. Sam George, to as a matter of urgency facilitate the construction of a modern, well-structured market that will provide relief to traders and help restore economic stability in the area.

Contributing to the issues, the Chief Executive Officer of Molan Enterprise, Moro Abu, has also raised serious concerns about the lack of banking facilities in the town, describing it as a major setback to business development.

“There is no bank in Afienya. Any serious transaction requires travelling to either Somanya or Ashaiman. This is worrying and discouraging for businesses and investors,” he explained.

According to him, the situation forces business owners to carry huge amounts of cash on a daily basis, exposing them to theft while limiting their capacity to expand and operate safely.

Residents insist that Afienya, with its growing population, strategic road links and increasing residential developments, deserves better infrastructure to support its economic growth. They are therefore calling on the government and the appropriate authorities to intervene urgently by providing a standard market and at least one banking institution to serve the community and its surrounding areas.