Some market women at Mallam Market in the Ablekuma North Constituency of the Greater Accra Region have accused the Queenmother of the market, Mrs. Elizabeth Lamptey popularly known as Anute Fio for allegedly extorting money from GH¢500.00 to GH¢1000.00 as gift for MCE, Mr. Kofi Ofori.
According to the women, the Queenmother of the market allegedly used the MCE’s name [Mr. Kofi Ofori] to extort money from them.
The aggrieved women stated that the Queenmother of the market asked the various heads of the market to charge an amount of GH¢500.00 and GH¢1000.00 for those who sell their wares on the ground and for those who have containers or own shops respectively.
They were told that the said amount is to be given to the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Kofi Ofori as a gift for giving them a place to sell their commodities.
Meanwhile the construction of Mallam Market is being carried out by the Government of Ghana and therefore the women cannot phantom why such amount are being charged.
The traders also complained that apart from the money the Queenmother of the Market is asking them to pay to show appreciation to the MCE, they paid GH¢6,000.00 to secure the portion given to them to sell.
Information gathered by the Republic Press indicates that some New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters amongst the traders have already reported the matter to the MCE’s office three weeks ago but nothing has been done about it.
A cassava seller told the paper that two shop owners have already paid the GH¢6000.00 to Anute Fio before they were allocated portions to place their containers whiles those who refused to pay are being forced to evacuate their shops.
“I don’t know my faith now because as we speak I don’t have the GH¢500.00 thank you money so I’m just praying the authorities will call her and the MCE to order,” she stated.
When contacted to react to the matter, Anute Fio denied ever using the MCE’s name to extort monies from the market women and also denied all the allegation of extortion leveled against her.
“I have not tasked any market head to collect monies from any trader,” she stated.
