On Saturday morning, the Amanokrom Community Centre Park in the Akuapem North Constituency of the Eastern Region saw an unprecedented surge in activities as hundreds of residents, both from the local area and beyond, gathered in a remarkable turnout for the long-awaited “Ofie Market”.
The initiative, launched by the Member of Parliament for the area, Sammi Awuku turned the quiet community center into a bustling marketplace filled with vendors, farmers, and eager buyers.
The Ofie Market, is a novel project aimed at tackling post-harvest losses and improving access to fresh, organic produce at affordable prices.
The market, was conceived to address the pressing issues farmers face in the Constituency, including the difficulty of getting their products to market without the interference of middlemen.
The idea for the Ofie Market took root in 2024 as part of Sammi Awuku’s manifesto during his campaign to become the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North.
With agriculture being a significant part of the local economy, farmers in the constituency had long struggled with the challenge of post-harvest losses, where large quantities of food spoil before reaching consumers.
Sammi Awuku recognized this issue and vowed to create a space where fresh produce could be sold directly to consumers, benefiting both the farmers and the buyers.
The market, which is expected to take place on the last Saturday of every month, has attracted wide support from the local community. More than 500 farmers and 300 market queens have already committed to being a part of the market, a testament to the growing enthusiasm surrounding the initiative.
The event lived up to its promise, as people from various parts of the Constituency and beyond, including commuters from Accra, flocked to Amanokrom to purchase farm-fresh foodstuffs.
Traders had brought a wide variety of produce—everything from fresh vegetables and fruits to locally grown staples. The atmosphere was lively, with vendors offering competitive prices and buyers eagerly taking advantage of the opportunity to support local agriculture.
Local authorities, including the Chief and elders of Amanokrom, welcomed the MP, who arrived to observe the event.
Sammi Awuku emphasized the importance of the market in supporting the local economy.
He expressed his satisfaction with the success of the initiative, noting that it fulfills a key promise made during his campaign.
