The Amanokrom Community Centre Park in the Akuapem North Constituency, Eastern Region, was buzzing with activity on the morning of Saturday, March 29, 2025, as hundreds of residents from the local area and beyond gathered for the highly anticipated “Ofie Market.”
This innovative initiative, launched by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Samuel Kwabena Awuku (Sammi Awuku), transformed the normally quiet community center into a vibrant marketplace, with farmers, vendors, and eager shoppers all coming together to celebrate the event.
The Ofie Market, conceived as a solution to address pressing agricultural challenges, aims to combat post-harvest losses and enhance access to fresh, affordable organic produce.
This novel project is a key part of Sammi Awuku’s efforts to improve the lives of local farmers and provide a direct-to-consumer platform, bypassing middlemen who often reduce farmers’ profits.
The idea for the Ofie Market emerged during Awuku’s 2024 campaign for the Akuapem North parliamentary seat, where he pledged to tackle the challenges facing the region’s agricultural sector.
With agriculture being a significant part of the local economy, farmers in the constituency have long struggled with large quantities of produce spoiling before reaching consumers, contributing to significant post-harvest losses.
Awuku recognized the need for a solution and promised to create a marketplace that would allow farmers to sell their fresh produce directly to buyers, ensuring both better prices for farmers and fresher food for consumers.
The inaugural market, which is set to occur on the last Saturday of each month, has already garnered enthusiastic support, with over 500 farmers and 300 market queens confirming their participation.
This turnout is a clear indication of the growing excitement surrounding the initiative.
On launch day, the market was filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, and other locally grown staples. Vendors offered competitive prices, and shoppers eagerly took advantage of the opportunity to support local agriculture.
The event not only attracted people from within the constituency but also drew commuters from Accra, further highlighting the broad appeal of the market.
Local authorities, including the Chief and elders of Amanokrom, were on hand to welcome Sammi Awuku, who attended the event to witness its success firsthand.
The MP expressed his satisfaction with the positive turnout, noting that the market fulfilled a major promise made during his campaign.
He emphasized the importance of the initiative in supporting the local economy and providing farmers with a fairer marketplace.
The Ofie Market is also designed to be more than just a place for trading produce. A children’s playground was set up to make the shopping experience more family-friendly, and food vendors and entertainment added to the festive atmosphere.
The market operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., becoming a social hub for the community as well.
Supported by the Municipal Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the initiative has already been hailed as a model for community-driven solutions to agricultural issues.
Local farmers have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to sell their goods directly to consumers, reducing waste and allowing them to earn better prices for their produce.
The successful launch of the Ofie Market on March 29 has set the stage for it to become a regular fixture in the lives of residents in Akuapem North and beyond.
With Sammi Awuku’s vision for a thriving, self-sustaining local economy, the future looks promising for both farmers and consumers in the region.
Below are some photos of the fair:
Ofie Market
Ofie Market
Ofie Market
Ofie Market
Ofie Market
Ofie Market
Ofie Market
Ofie Market
