Challenges in the Operations and Management of Urban Markets: The Case of WA Central Market

Public market facilities in most African cities tend to be old and dilapidated or relatively new but inefficient structures with inadequate stalls for traders. Most of the central markets built during the colonial era lacked adequate storage, packing space and other trading facilities. The more recent market facilities built during the late 1960s and early 1970s were intended mainly to meet the needs of traders in manufactured goods. In the Upper west region of Ghana, the Wa Central Market is arguably the only busy and centrally located market. Retail goods, fresh fruits, vegetables and a wide range of goods and services are sold and exchanged in large volumes and quantities. The market contributes substantial revenue in a form of taxes to the Wa Municipal Assembly. The Municipality is also home to other satellite markets such as the Kambali market, the Dondoli market, the Jenjen market, Piisi market just to mention a few. However, apart from the glaring infrastructural deficiencies which one may notice at first sight, there are definitely a large number of challenges that may hinder the ability of market players to use the market to the fullest.