A total of 7,381 traders who were affected by the recent fires in Accra and Kumasi are to benefit from GH¢ 2million released by the Ministry of Finance.
The traders were identified by the 11-member technical committee tasked to compile a list of victims affected by the fire disasters which ravaged some markets in Accra and Kumasi. A statement issued by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) said a symbolic disbursement of the funds would take place in Accra at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park and at the Kumasi Jubilee Park today.
It added that following the recent fire outbreaks in some markets in Accra and the Kumasi Central Market, which resulted in substantial loss of properties of some traders and affected their livelihood, the government assured the affected people of its support. President John Dramani Mahama thereafter instructed the Finance Minister to earmark GH¢5,000,000.00 as emergency fund to support the affected traders.
Consequently, the 11-member committee, chaired by the Minister in charge of MoGCSP, Nana Oye Lithur was instituted and tasked to compile a list of affected markets in the two regions, identify and screen potential beneficiaries, register affected victims and organise the list of victims into categories to facilitate disbursement of the grant.
The committee was also to determine the amount of money to be given to each beneficiary, based on the extent of damage or loss of merchandise; determine the mode of payment to potential beneficiaries, as well as supervise the disbursement of the fund to them.
The committee, additionally, was also to supervise the establishment of a database to store information on beneficiaries, investigate the resultant vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for short, medium and long-term resettlement of victims, and suggest strategies to get victims back on their feet. The statement added that GH¢3,000,000.00 out of the total amount was to be used for reconstruction activities in the affected markets.
Markets that will be reconstructed with some of the funds include: Makola Number Two (Agbogbloshie), Kantamanto, some portions of the Makola Number One Market in the Greater Accra Region, as well as the Kumasi Central Market in the Ashanti Region.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Julius Debrah; and the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, with support from the Mayor of Accra, Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije; the President of the Christian Council of Ghana, a representative of the Office of the Chief Imam, traditional leaders and the Wolumei in Accra, will be present to disburse the funds.
The statement further expressed the ministry and government’s appreciation to Stanbic Bank for offering its support and free services to disburse the funds to beneficiaries.