The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has warned traders affected by the redevelopment of the 31st December Material Stores at Makola in Accra, Greater Accra Region, not to pay individuals demanding GH¢10,000 to secure shops in the new facility.
According to Citi Newsroom, the AMA said in a Facebook post on 30 October 2026 that the warning was issued by the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, after he inspected the redevelopment works on 27 October 2026.
The Assembly said the registration process is free and that it has not authorised any individual, group or task force member to collect money from traders seeking shops in the redeveloped facility. The Mayor described reports of people demanding money under the pretext of arranging shop allocations as false.
Chale News, citing GhanaWeb, reported that the Mayor also said temporary trading spaces given to traders during construction are not permanent allocations.
The project will replace the former single-storey structure with a four-storey commercial facility. In July 2026, the Assembly and trader representatives agreed to move affected businesses temporarily to Rawlings Park and the Community Centre near the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, with existing shop owners to get first option on the new shops.
No arrests were reported and the people said to be demanding the money have not been identified. Traders have been urged not to pay anyone claiming to act for the Assembly.