For championing the welfare of traders at the Race Course market at Bantama at all times of distress, they (traders) have hailed Mrs. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Chief of Staff, for her philanthropic activities at the place.
The traders, who see her as their sole benefactor for the rehabilitation of the market, which got burnt on two occasions within four months, extolled her for her selfless commitment to the welfare of the traders.
In December 2023, the Chief of Staff, supported 70 traders who had their stalls gutted by fire at the Race Course market by procuring building materials worth about GHc150,000 for the reconstruction of the portion of the market affected by the fire outbreak.
She provided 70 bags of cement, 1,000 pieces of 2×4 boards, 400 pieces of roofing sheets, two trips of sand, 70 boxes of assorted nails and 20 galvanised poles and footed the cost of workmanship on the reconstruction.
In April, this year, she also committed almost GHc1 million from her own resources to procure materials for the reconstruction of parts of the Bantama Race Course market that got burnt on March 11, 2024.
The procurement covered 60 packets of roofing sheets, 500 bags of cement, 2,400 pieces of Galvanised poles, 6000 pieces of lumber, 30 boxes of nails and 30 tons of iron rods, and further supplied 50 trucks of sand and 20 trucks of chippings for filling up the muddy area, besides the hiring of excavators and earth moving machines for the rehabilitation works.
Last Tuesday, the market traders had reason to praise the Chief Administrator when she commissioned the reconstructed market to the admiration of entire market traders in the presence of dignitaries.
The Queen mother of the Bantama Race Course market, Nana Afia Kyeiwaa, on behalf of the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, thanked their benefactor for the singular support and life saving moves to come to their rescue at all material times.
She said by her deeds, Mrs. Osei-Opare has proven to be a caring mother who had the welfare of traders and women in general at heart.
Parts of the reconstructed market have been named after Nana Konadu Yiadom III, the Asantehemaa and Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare.
Nana Afia Kyeiwaa, who presented a portrait to their benefactor in appreciation of her gestures, urged the traders to reciprocate and translate their appreciation of the gestures into massive votes for the NPP government in the December elections.
Nana Ama Ampomah, Regional NPP Women’s Organiser described the Chief of Staff as a role model and philanthropist par excellence whose philanthropic activities span over 40 years.
In her inaugural address, Mrs. Frema Osei-Opare said she undertook the rehabilitation of the Race course market for the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who owns all markets in the metropolis for her good counsel.
The Chief of Staff commended Nana Afia Kyeiwaa for her strong and dedicated leadership at the Race Course market.
She also thanked her local and external donors who support her NGO to undertake philanthropic activities for the emancipation of women as a priority.
According to her, she is a representative of womanhood in government and assured to help with the development of the market.
She said the December election is Ghana’s future and emphasised the need for Ghanaians to retain the NPP in power because the government has kept faith with the people.
Mrs. Osei-Opare described the NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as humble and experienced and called on Ghanaians to vote for the NPP for a secured future.
Barima Osei Kwadwo, Otumfuo’s Mmamensenhene, who presided over the commissioning of the market, commended the Chief of Staff for honouring the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III by reconstructing the market at no cost to the traders.
