Some aggrieved market women who lost their shops and wares to an inferno in the Akyem Oda Central Market have accused authorities of unfair distribution of compensation funds.
According to the traders, monies have been shared twice yet the actual victims of the September 13, 2021 fire have not benefited thus they suspect a foul play in sharing of the money.
Speaking as the leader of the group in a press conference held in Akyem Oda Market, Madam Linda Asamoah revealed that President Nana Akufo Addo on his visit to the market after the disaster promised to give victims interest free loans to continue their businesses and indeed the promise was fulfilled when MASLOC and Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) came with the loans.
She explained that it is shocking that only a few women were given the loans and the beneficiaries were not victims of the market disaster.
Madam Linda Asamoah and her group are therefore calling on government and the appropriate authorities to come to their rescue as most of them are now jobless and have nothing to support their families in these difficult times.
“Some things are not going on well regarding the distribution of monies…we wrote our names twice and some people were given monies in a Presbyterian Church. He asked those of us who didn’t receive compensation to meet him but till now we are yet to hear from him. We want authorities to know that we those who work in the market and pay pour taxes haven’t been compensated and they must heed our request”, she lamented.
Adding her voice, a woman said “they shared money twice but we haven’t received ours. We have followed up severally to no avail.”
“I couldn’t salvage anything but I’ve not been compensated yet people who didn’t even sell in the market have received money”, another victim stated.
“I owe many people and my debts are swalliowing me up. I beg the president to come to my rescue.”
Angelonline.com.gh reported that a fire outbreak has destroyed many stores and wares at the Akyem Oda Central Market in the Eastern Region.
The inferno, which is believed to have started late night on Monday, September 13, 2021, affected several goods and shops which couldn’t be readily quantified.
The president later promised to assist the affected victims.
