The Western Region’s Tuesday market in Sekondi, once a hive of economic activity, is now at a crossroads as signals of deterioration grow more pronounced. The market’s energy has waned throughout the years, putting it on the verge of collapse. It was once a flourishing center that drew dealers and customers from near and far.
What formerly provided the Sekondi people with their main source of economic support has now been reduced to a mere ghost of what it once was. Due to a decline in company participation, basic yet necessary goods are now hard to come by. Some needs may now only be purchased by traveling to the nearby Takoradi market as a result of the current state of affairs.
This bleak situation is made worse by the unnerving observation that the Tuesday market is starting to resemble a ghost town rather than a bustling market. Although there are sellers, there are few possible purchasers, which is a serious blow to the livelihoods of traders who depend on regular transactions to survive. One trader even recalled that the market’s deterioration over the previous seven years had been obvious—a trajectory that is glaringly at odds with what one would anticipate from a market that ought to be developing and growing.
The market’s physical layout presents a similarly depressing image. The Sekondi market structure has not undergone any appreciable restorations or reconstruction works since it was built in the late 1920s. The failing nature of the economy is a threat to security
The deteriorating state of the market not only poses safety concerns but also translates to substantial financial losses for traders who operate within these dilapidated conditions.
As the Sekondi market’s condition continues to deteriorate, it inadvertently shifts trading activities to the more functional Takoradi market. This migration, while perhaps unintentional, carries the unfortunate consequence of negatively impacting the Sekondi constituency as a whole.
Amid this backdrop of economic decline, the absence of proactive measures from the Incumbent MP, Hon. Mercer, and the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) is glaringly evident. The lack of concern, unwillingness to address the market’s decline, and overall inaction have fueled the frustration of those who seek a revitalized market space.
However, a glimmer of hope emerges in the form of Lawyer Armah Blay, a candidate from the National Democratic Congress (NDC). His willingness to step forward and address the pressing issues facing the Tuesday market and the Sekondi market as a whole is seen as a potential beacon of change. Blay’s commitment to revitalize the Tuesday market’s trading activities and allocate resources for the reconstruction of the Sekondi market has ignited a sense of optimism within the community.
For the people of Sekondi, this juncture calls for a reevaluation of partisan politics. The need for the constituency’s development transcends political affiliations, and the time has come to prioritize the upliftment of the local economy and living conditions over party lines.
In the face of an enduring 27-year tenure of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Sekondi, it’s becoming evident to many that a change is imperative. The constituency’s progress should no longer take a back seat, and the potential for transformation under Lawyer Armah Blay’s leadership is increasingly appealing.
Sekondi, once a thriving economic powerhouse, has the potential to reclaim its lost vibrancy. With a united effort and the right leadership, the Tuesday market can once again thrive, and the Sekondi market can be resurrected from its current state of decay. The hope lies in Lawyer Armah Blay, whose commitment to change and development has positioned him as a beacon of possibility for the people of Sekondi.
