Traders at the Dzodze Market in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region have called on the Duamenefa Foundation for urgent intervention following severe flooding that has disrupted business activities and damaged goods and stalls.
The market women say the situation has made trading extremely difficult, significantly affecting their livelihoods, and are therefore appealing for immediate relief as well as long-term solutions to prevent a recurrence.
Following their appeal, the concerns were relayed through the Program Manager of Fafaa 100.3 FM, Abass Seidu, who brought the matter to the attention of the Executive President of the Duamenefa Foundation, Mr. Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe, during the Duamenefa Social Intervention Programme.
In response, Mr. Evortepe reportedly treated the issue with urgency and directed the Foundation’s investigative team to begin work on the matter without delay. The Foundation also urged all relevant authorities involved to act swiftly, describing the situation as unfortunate and requiring immediate attention to ease the hardship faced by traders.
During the Agoooooh Intervention Morning Show on Fafaa 100.3 FM, Madam Grace Gbedze, the market queen mother shared details of the incident, describing it as unfortunate and confirming that the entire market had been flooded, making daily trading activities difficult. She indicated that a broken pipe within the market was suspected to be the cause.
Following her account, the Dzodze Water Board was contacted for clarification. The Secretary to the Board, Hon. Samuel Amable, confirmed awareness of the situation and said steps were being taken to address it. He explained that ongoing construction works on the dual carriage road under the “Big Push” project had led to the damage of several water pipelines.
He expressed concern that utility lines such as water pipes are often affected during road construction projects, stressing that proper coordination and precautionary measures should have been observed before excavation works began. He noted that prior notice had been given for water officials to be consulted before digging in the area.
Hon. Amable further appealed to the Duamenefa Foundation to assist in engaging the road engineer in charge of the project so that all stakeholders could meet and find a lasting solution to the issue. He added that efforts to reach the engineer had so far been unsuccessful.
He also stated that the Water Board is mobilising resources to replace the damaged pipes to restore water supply and bring relief to affected traders, describing the market as a key source of livelihood for many women within the municipality and beyond.
He added that temporary measures are being considered to reduce the impact of the flooding while permanent repairs are carried out, ensuring traders can resume normal activities as soon as possible.
Community members have also called for stronger coordination among stakeholders and improved supervision of construction projects to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, the Duamenefa Foundation says it will continue to monitor the situation and engage relevant authorities to ensure that the concerns of the traders are addressed. The Foundation emphasised the need for coordinated action to restore normal market operations and provide lasting relief to those affected.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze
Edited by Isabella Evortepe, UEW / Fafaa100.3 Fm