The Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Charity Foundation (OSTCF) has joined forces with Master Card Foundation and Manhyia Palace to enforce strict adherence to all COVID 19 protocols prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to mitigate contact spreading of COVID 19 in Kumasi Markets.
The partnership between the three groups aims at enhancing the KMA’s relaxed fight against the deadly Coronavirus associated with congestion in various markets within the metropolis.
The exercise is expected to enforce behavioral change among the market woman who for obvious reasons has declined not to comply with the KMA’s directive for personal safety against the disease.
According to Kirk Agyekum, the foundation and its partners have procured hundreds of veronica buckets, thermometer guns, and gallons of hand sanitizers to be used in the markets as protective tools against the virus.
As part of the proposed measures be implemented in the various markets by the Foundations, traders are required to undergo body temperature screening at the entrance of the market with a thermometer before they are allowed to wash their hands under running water in Veronica bucket with soap and hand sanitizer before they are given access to the market including customers.
The sitting arrangement of the traders in the market will come with new demarcation to enforce social distancing.
Awards will also be given to any market group which will strictly adhere to the new protocols by the Master Card Foundation in Manhyia Palace by Asantehemaa owner of all markets in Kumasi.
However, punitive measures will also be taken against any person who refuses to adhere to measures being initiated in the market through direct orders of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
At a meeting between the various Market queen mothers, KMA, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Charity Foundation, Manhyia Palace, and Master Card Foundation officials, the Queen mothers admitted they have lost control of the traders in Kumasi in ensuring COVID 19 protocols are adhered to.
“When you come to the markets now no law works there our traders do whatever they want there… No wearing of a nose mask, physical social distancing among others. When you try to enforce the laws as a Queen mother they curse you with river deities. KMA also doesn’t have a political will to enforce the protocols in the markets because the traders always threaten they will vote against NPP if the sack them from trading in untheorized places’’ Madam Kyeiwaa bemoaned.
She added, “Nananom when you go to Sunyani you hardly see rubbish on the streets and in their market why dose sanitation laws work there but not in Kumasi, don’t they also vote in election years? Nananom we are happy that Otumfuo has directed you to step in. The situation in Kumasi very disturbing KMA can’t be blamed for every this we just need behavioural change,” she stressed.
Responding to the concerns of the market woman, Otumfuo Ankobiahene who was displeased with the concerns of the traders also said, “though we are aware of the threats you are going through in the market, including verbal abuse and curses they invoke on you when you try to enforce the law and order there which is impeding your work there. Now the matter has come to the attention of Otumfuo that is why he has assigned the Otumfuo Charity Foundation and its partner to lead the behavioural change in the market with authority from the Palace’’ he added.
He stressed” markets in Kumasi belongs to the Asantehemaa, which has been intrusted in your care to feed on there. That doesn’t mean you shout disregard authority and COVID 19 protocol to contract the virus. You are all sons and daughters of Otumfuo there we need to protect you all. Because the rising rate of the virus infection and deaths in Ashanti region is becoming scurry. Otumfuo won’t sit-down for his people to perish to the pandemic. Those of you who will adhere to the Foundation directive with the support of KMA will be awarded. Those of you who will disregard the directive will also be summoned before the palace to face punishment so you should take note’’.
He noted, Manhyia Palace needs no political vote from any of the trader in the markets therefore weather you will vote or not that is none of our business. Nananom focus, for now, is to ensure there’s sanity in Kumasi particular in the various market during the national fight against COVID 19.
