Traders and residents of Kona, a historic community in the Sekyere South District near Agona, are making a passionate appeal to the government, the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, and the District Assembly to urgently intervene in the deplorable state of their market, which has been left in ruins for nearly three decades.
For 29 long years, the people of Kona have endured untold hardship following the collapse of the old market structure in 1996. Since then, market women have been compelled to trade in the open, without stalls or sheds, exposing themselves and their goods to harsh weather conditions.
The once vibrant Kona market, which served as a major trading hub for surrounding communities, now lies in a state of neglect, with traders operating under the scorching sun and torrential rains. The lack of a proper facility has crippled local commerce, affected livelihoods, and driven some traders to relocate to nearby markets in Agona and Nsuta.
Speaking with deep emotion, Maame Serwaa, the Market Queen Mother, recounted the daily struggles of traders and described the situation as a disgrace to the community. “It is very shameful to say this is our market. We have suffered for far too long. When it rains, we are forced to pack our goods and run for shelter, and when the sun is blazing, we sit helplessly in the heat. Our market has been abandoned for 29 years, and we are pleading with the government to come to our rescue,” she said.
She added that the absence of a standard market has adversely affected business growth and income levels, pushing many families into economic hardship. “Some of our women have stopped trading because they lose their goods to the weather. We are only asking for what is right — a decent market that reflects our dignity,” she stressed.
Beyond the market crisis, residents also lament the deteriorating state of social infrastructure in the community. They cited the poor condition of public toilet facilities, unmaintained roads, and dilapidated school buildings, calling for comprehensive government attention to improve living standards.
One elderly resident, Mr. Kwame Nti, described the state of the community as a result of long years of neglect. “Kona is one of the oldest and most respected towns in this district, but looking around today, you wouldn’t believe it. Our children study in classrooms that are falling apart, our market is in ruins, and our roads are full of potholes. We are appealing to our District Chief Executive, Hon. Edward Kusi Ayarkwa, and our Member of Parliament to make Kona a priority,” he said.
The Kona market serves as a critical commercial center for local farmers and traders from neighboring communities such as Bepoase, Agona, and Nsuta. However, due to the current deplorable conditions, many traders have deserted the market, significantly reducing revenue for both the community and the district.
Market women and residents are therefore calling on the government, private sector, and benevolent organizations to collaborate with the Sekyere South District Assembly to reconstruct the Kona market into a modern trading facility equipped with stalls, sheds, and proper sanitation systems.
Local leaders believe that rebuilding the market would not only restore commercial activity but also create jobs, boost household incomes, and promote economic development within the Sekyere South District.
As the rainy season approaches, the traders fear that continuing to trade in the open will further damage their goods and expose them to health risks. They are therefore appealing for swift and decisive action from authorities to ensure that Kona receives the infrastructural attention it deserves after nearly three decades of neglect.
For more information, contact:
Maame Serwaa (Kona Market Queen Mother) — 0242732665
