The maiden Ofie Market Experience comes off this Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Amanokrom Community Centre Park in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The brainchild of Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Samuel Kwabena Awuku, popularly known as Sammi Awuku, is an innovative market that aims to reduce post-harvest losses and provide consumers with fresh, organic produce at farm-gate prices.
The idea behind the Ofie Market is to connect hardworking farmers with consumers, ensuring that fresh produce reaches homes while also helping farmers and traders earn more for their efforts.
During the launch of the event, which took place last month, Sammi Awuku explained that the market is designed to address the challenges faced by farmers in the constituency, particularly post-harvest losses.
“Farmers’ post-harvest losses have been a major concern for us. We wanted to create a platform where farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers, eliminating middlemen and ensuring better prices,” he explained.
The Ofie Market has garnered significant support from the community, with over 500 farmers and 300 market queens already on board.
The coordinator of the event, Barimah Awuah Sarpong Asiedu–Larbi Esq., explained, “There will also be playgrounds for children who come along with their parents to shop.”
He said, “Vendors will come and sell their foods. We urge everyone to come and buy, and there will be a funfair with all kinds of foodstuffs available for sale.”
The Ofie Market is more than just a place to buy food; it is about improving lives, supporting local farmers, and making organic produce affordable for everyone.
The event is in collaboration with the Municipal Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and has received widespread support from the community.
Mr. Barima Asiedu-Larbi, the Coordinator for the Ofie Market, underscored the significance of the project in addressing post-harvest losses and creating a ready market for both farmers and market women.
“This project is about creating a platform for farmers to bring their produce to the market after harvest, where there will be buyers,” he disclosed.
According to him, the new market will take place on the last Saturday of every month, with farmers and their produce transported from various farming communities to the Amanokrom Community Centre, ensuring a ready market for them.
“This market will happen once a month, mostly on the last Saturday, where farmers from various neighboring communities will be transported to the market,” he stressed, adding, “The market will start at 6 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. We have therefore provided transportation for all farmers within Akuapem North who have produce ready for sale.”
On security arrangements, he indicated that police personnel, with support from private security details, will be present to ensure the safety of market patrons.
“We have police personnel who will be guarding the car park, along with some private security personnel to provide assistance. We also have MTTD personnel on standby to direct traffic and have created a children’s playground for the children of market women, with adequate security,” he emphasized.
