Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Assembly institutes measures to reduce the spread of Coronavirus at the Agormanya market

By: Samuel Atter, P4H Focal Person, Lower Manya Krobo (April 15, 2020)

The Municipal Chief Executive of Lower Manya Krobo has directed that only food items and consumables are sold at the Agormanya market in the Eastern region for two weeks, starting 8th April 2020.  The MCE has also directed that market days which were formerly Wednesday and Saturdays be scrapped to ensure that a large number of traders are not found at the market these days.

This directive became necessary following the inability of market women and traders to practice social distancing. Perhaps, the nature of the market set up is a contributory factor. There are no proper demarcations or sheds for traders, and the congestions at the market leave much to be desired.

P4H Focal person, who is also the Executive Director of the Adolescent Friendly and Peer Educators Organization, Mr. Samuel Atter, reports that although market queens take turns to enlighten traders on social distancing and handwashing practice, compliance is still a challenge. This raises serious concerns as the district has recently recorded over 20 cases of the Coronavirus.

Mr. Atter who is also a member of the epidemic team now assists in educating the public on the Coronavirus, using his private vehicle that has a public address system. He anticipates that this effort will contribute to ensuring that social distancing protocols are followed in the market.

Activities at the Agormanya Market |Photo credit: Samuel Atter