ODI Global
Baba Tia, Ghana
The Walewale market is the biggest market in the West Mamprusi district. It spans about 100 metres square and runs every three days.
The display of products by market men and women were accompanied by a number of challenges, such as shops being exposed to scorching sun and rain, as well as improper demarcation of spaces and lack of selling facilities. By identifying these problems, the market women mobilised themselves and began a series of consultations with the Unit Committee members, Assembly men and women and aspirants of the National Assembly.
In Ghana the political decision-making structure is arranged from the grassroots or community level through to the National Assembly, or Parliament. At the local community level, the structure is comprised of the Assembly men and women and the Unit Committee Members. These groups decide on matters of concern to the community and present these concerns for consideration at the District Assembly meetings. Here, the Member of Parliament representing the district takes the relevant concerns to the National Assembly for consideration and subsequent implementation or passing into law.
Through this political voice, a new development plan for the market was designed by the government to transform the market into a modern facility. This plan has so far brought us modern market buildings such as stores, open pavilions, butchering houses and so on.
However, the government's plan has a long-term character, which has run through the rulings of the two main political parties of Ghana – the NDC and the NPP. There is evidence to show planned development of portions of the market by both political parties, but political rivalry is causing a stalemate in the rehabilitation and development of the market. For example, some of the stores were engulfed by fire and the only butchering house had its roof ripped off in rains. These damaged facilities are unattended to, because the current NDC government will not support the policies and infrastructural development of the former party.
Jobila Zakari
Civic and Public Education Officer, NCCE
© Baba Tia / NCCE / ODI / PhotoVoice
Baba Tia, Ghana
The Walewale market is the biggest market in the West Mamprusi district. It spans about 100 metres square and runs every three days.
The display of products by market men and women were accompanied by a number of challenges, such as shops being exposed to scorching sun and rain, as well as improper demarcation of spaces and lack of selling facilities. By identifying these problems, the market women mobilised themselves and began a series of consultations with the Unit Committee members, Assembly men and women and aspirants of the National Assembly.
In Ghana the political decision-making structure is arranged from the grassroots or community level through to the National Assembly, or Parliament. At the local community level, the structure is comprised of the Assembly men and women and the Unit Committee Members. These groups decide on matters of concern to the community and present these concerns for consideration at the District Assembly meetings. Here, the Member of Parliament representing the district takes the relevant concerns to the National Assembly for consideration and subsequent implementation or passing into law.
Through this political voice, a new development plan for the market was designed by the government to transform the market into a modern facility. This plan has so far brought us modern market buildings such as stores, open pavilions, butchering houses and so on.
However, the government's plan has a long-term character, which has run through the rulings of the two main political parties of Ghana – the NDC and the NPP. There is evidence to show planned development of portions of the market by both political parties, but political rivalry is causing a stalemate in the rehabilitation and development of the market. For example, some of the stores were engulfed by fire and the only butchering house had its roof ripped off in rains. These damaged facilities are unattended to, because the current NDC government will not support the policies and infrastructural development of the former party.
Jobila Zakari
Civic and Public Education Officer, NCCE
© Baba Tia / NCCE / ODI / PhotoVoice