Traders at the La market are strictly adhering to the coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols in order to protect themselves and their customers against the disease.
At the market Veronica buckets with liquid soap and hand sanitisers could be seen at various points with city guards ensuring the customers wash and sanitise their hands before entering the market.
Also the traders were seen wearing their face masks while observing social distancing and their food items neatly arranged and covered on the tables.
The Ghanaian Times observed these when the Association of Women in the Media (ASWIM) donated two boxes of hand sanitisers to the market queen, Christiana Yemoley Laryea for onward distribution to traders in the market on Thursday in Accra.
Madam Laryea said the COVID-19 pandemic had brought a lot of challenges to the traders explaining that sales at the market had reduced due to the directive given for them to start trading at 8am and close by 3pm.
Though pleased with the directive, as it affords the traders ample time with their families, “most of our customers come to buy from 3pm thereby making those selling at the roadside making enough sales than we here in the market,” she added.
According to her, the authorities have decided to introduce a shift system for the traders which she said would be of a great challenge because there were spaces that could be allotted traders especially those at the roadside for them to trade.
Madam Laryea explained that, when additional spaces are allotted to traders, it would not affect the social distancing protocols being currently observed but the shift system would rather render some traders redundant, as they were breadwinners of their families.
She urged the traders to continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols to protect the health of their customers and that of their families.
Presenting the items, the president of ASWIM, Mavis Kitcher said the aim of the donation was to ensure the disease does not affect a lot of people, as people from all walks of life come to the market to buy food stuffs.
She said “I am satisfied with the way you have arranged yourselves here and I can see all the traders here are in their nose masks.”
She pledged the association’s continuous support to the market adding that “we will bring you more sanitisers as and when we get some.”
The convener of ASWIM, Mary Mensah called on corporate bodies and organisations to support the association with hand sanitisers and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to support the traders fight COVID-19.
BY JEMIMA ESINAM KUATSINU
