AMA Warns Makola Traders Against GH¢10,000 Shop Registration Scam
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has cautioned traders affected by the redevelopment of the 31st December Material Stores at Makola against individuals demanding GH¢10,000 under the pretext of registering their names for shop allocation in the new facility.
The Mayor of Accra, Mr Michael Kpakpo Allotey, gave the warning during an inspection of the ongoing four-storey redevelopment project on Tuesday, following reports that some individuals were collecting money from traders with the promise of securing them shops.
He clarified that the Assembly had not authorised any individual, group or task force member to collect money for the future allocation of shops.
According to him, the registration of traders’ names at the Assembly was entirely free, and neither his office nor the Metropolitan Coordinating Director had approved any payment arrangement for the process.
He therefore urged traders to disregard such demands and avoid making payments to individuals claiming to facilitate access to shops in the new facility.
The mayor also cautioned traders against treating their current temporary trading locations as permanent spaces or as an automatic entitlement to shops in the redeveloped market.
The warning comes as construction works progress on the four-storey 31st December Material Stores project, which is expected to replace the former single-storey structure with a modern commercial facility offering additional trading spaces and improved accessibility.
During the inspection, Mr Allotey, accompanied by officials of the AMA, assessed the construction progress, including foundation and ground-level concrete works, erected columns and preparations for the installation of elevators to facilitate movement between floors.
He urged the construction workers to maintain the pace of work to ensure the timely completion of the facility.
The redevelopment follows consultations between the AMA, affected traders and other stakeholders on arrangements for relocating businesses operating within the project area.
In July 2026, the Assembly and representatives of the affected traders reached an agreement on temporary relocation arrangements, which included designated spaces at Rawlings Park and the Community Centre near the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
Under the agreement, the first phase of construction was expected to be completed within six months after the relocation of traders. Existing shop owners were also to be given the first option in the allocation of shops when the facility is completed.
The project forms part of the AMA’s efforts to modernise market infrastructure, provide additional organised trading spaces and reduce trading activities along roadsides and pedestrian walkways in the capital.
Faustina Naa Ayele Johnson, ISD
