The role of road transportation service in the development of traditional market’s: A case of Asesewa and Agormanya traditional markets in the Eastern Region, Ghana.

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Date
2012-07-24
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Abstract
Traditional markets in Ghana have played significant functions as the main source for rural inhabitant’s livelihood and development of rural space. The attractions of population and economic activities to markets centres have enhanced the growth of communities and attracted socio-economic facilities. Traditional markets focus mainly on agriculture produce. In spite of the considerable effort of traditional market towards rural development, it is faced with numerous challenges. The study examined the nexus existing between road transportation and traditional markets in the Upper Manya District and Lower Manya District. The study focused on two traditional markets namely the Agormanya and Asesewa markets. The study adopted the case study approach and using data from one hundred and sixty (160) respondents it was observed that the two markets exhibited characteristics of traditional markets because they trade mainly in agriculture produce. It is also conspicuous from the study that there is a strong linkage between road transportation and traditional markets but the two have not been managed effectively and effectively for the past decade for the realisation of optimal benefit. The study also found out that owing to the poor nature of roads in the study area, travel speed is low, leading to long travel time and as a result traders pay high prices for the transportation of goods from the production centres to the markets. Although these two markets have existed and contributed to rural development for decades, lip-service has been paid to physical infrastructure improvement and maintenance. In Agormanya, the market is deficient of a proper drainage system, a school, potable water, storage facilities, and electricity service for evening transactions and poor linkages for transport service to and from the market. The situation in Asesewa market is not far from Agormanya market. In conclusion, the study recommends among others the constructions of roads from highly dominant agriculture production centres to traditional markets of Asesewa and Agormanya and the maintenance of major roads linking communities and markets. Market infrastructure must be given a facelift to enable traditional markets provide the necessary catalyst for improved rural livelihood and improved agricultural activities to ensure the sustainability of traditional markets.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND PLANNING. 2012
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