Makola Traders Beam as Dutch Queen Máxima Walks Through Market Streets on Ghana Visit

Traders at Makola Market in Accra were elated to see Queen Máxima, the Queen of the Netherlands, as she walked through the streets following her arrival in Ghana for a four-day official visit in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health.

The Queen’s presence at the bustling market drew crowds of excited traders and shoppers who paused their activities to catch a glimpse of her. Many waved, cheered, and called out greetings as she moved through the streets, exchanging warm words with market women and taking interest in their businesses.

Dressed simply and walking freely among the traders, Queen Máxima stopped at several stalls to speak with business owners about how they manage their finances, access loans, and save money. Traders, visibly proud of the attention, shared their experiences and challenges, while some explained how financial services have helped them grow their businesses.

Her visit is part of her work as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health, a role that focuses on promoting financial inclusion and helping people build resilience through better access to financial services. Ghana is the latest stop on her tour, and the Makola visit was designed to highlight the everyday realities of traders in the informal economy.

Market leaders welcomed the Queen and praised her interest in the welfare of small-scale traders, noting that financial inclusion remains a major concern for many women who run businesses in the market. They expressed hope that her visit would draw attention to their needs and encourage better support from financial institutions.

Queen Máxima later met with officials and stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening financial health programmes in Ghana. Her four-day visit is expected to include engagements with government representatives, financial institutions, and community groups. For the traders of Makola, however, the highlight was the rare moment when royalty walked through their market, listened to their stories, and left them smiling. Many described the visit as a memorable day that put their daily struggles and hopes in the spotlight.

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