Hot!
Kaneshie Market Complex: Safest place to transact business – Robert Agbevem
Mr Robert Agbevem
The Kaneshie Market Complex was built in the 1970s under General Kutu Acheampong’s regime. But the idea for the establishment of the market was conceived under Busia’s administration in 1969.
It remains one of the oldest trading centres in the capital, Accra. Occupying a vast landscape, the centre is home to over 10,000 businessmen and women dealing in a wide range of merchandise.
With over 40 years in existence, the market has evolved and continues to impact livelihoods while contributing to domestic revenue generation.
Though its growth has not been all rosy, part of its success story is attributed to the robust management and corporate governance structures put in place since its inception.
The centre last Thursday hosted the maiden edition of The Spectator Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign led by the New Times Corporation (NTC), where hundreds of traders, mostly women, were screened and sensitised to the disease which continues to claim lives worldwide.
In the spirit of camaraderie and togetherness, we caught up with Mr Robert Agbevem, the Deputy Managing Director of the company, who spoke about operations of the facility as well as some plans to enhance the status of the market which would continue to make it the most preferred trading destination.
The Kaneshie Market Complex has about 150 permanent and non-permanent members of staff. Mr Agbevem, together with other superiors and staff members, is responsible for renting shops within the complex in addition to supervising parking spaces, the main lorry terminal and adjoining markets.
Business
In spite of its longevity, the Deputy Managing Director admits that activities at the market have not been promoted well enough hence efforts to draw attention to the serious business that takes place daily within the complex.
Acknowledging the general impact of COVID-19 on businesses, he noted that things were bouncing back gradually and managers were doing more to ensure the facility operated at full capacity “as it was in previous years.”
Mr Agbevem said patronage of the centre was not “as encouraging as expected because many traders had resorted to doing business outside the main market complex.”
He said the cost of doing business or renting shops at the market was relatively cheap compared with other market centres in the city.
Explaining measures to help traders within the space save cost on electricity, he said the Management was in partnership with the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) to ensure every shop within the market had its designated prepaid meter.
“There are lots of vacant shops up for rent at the market. Management intends using the second floor of the complex as a hub for fashion designers as there are a lot of them doing business here.
“Seamstresses and tailors who need places to operate should not look far. Our market has all they need to operate without challenges,” he noted.
Safety
The market complex, according to Mr Agbevem, is “the safest place to transact business” because personnel, as a result of constant supervision, are able to contain threats that emerge occasionally.
“Unlike other markets, we have our maintenance, security, human resource, and sanitation units. There is no time of the day or night that nobody mans the facility so even if people will clandestinely come to misbehave, they would be apprehended.
“We have personnel of the GNFS and our dedicated maintenance team housed inside the complex who ensure that as soon as there is any trace of smoke anywhere it is quickly attended to.
“Even when market women, in a haste to close and go home, leave their shops unattended to, our security personnel on night patrol are able to identify any lapses and are able to safeguard the property of the owners.
“All of these put together make the market a very safe place to transact business,” Mr Agbevem stated.
Challenges
Mr Agbevem further observed that refuse collection point at the market tended to serve the entire Kaneshie Sub-Metro as some residents deliberately dumped refuse generated from their nearby homes at the market.
He said, the place was becoming cleaner as managers of the facility continued to collaborate with the necessary state agencies to ensure waste collection was done on time.
He added that the drainage systems within the market enclave were being improved by the Department of Urban Roads and Kaneshie Sub-Metro to ensure that the perennial floods which somewhat disrupted business was avoided.
Future plans
Touching on some future plans, Mr Agbevem explained that preparations were on course to redevelop the existing parking space at the market into a modern one.
“The space as it is now can have more shops erected. We are collaborating with some investors to take up that project so the Kaneshie Market becomes a viable and attractive centre to do business where we will have lots of shops and office spaces rented out for brisk business.
“Again, we want to light up the place such that we can have a 24-hour market. The night business goes on but it is not as it is in other jurisdictions,” he said.
He, therefore, called for further collaboration from stakeholders within the catchment area, stressing the need for citizens to patronise local produce by farmers and traders to help boost the economy.
Breast cancer awareness
Mr Agbevem described the breast cancer campaign led by NTC as a “laudable idea and a wonderful initiative,” considering the adverse effects of the disease but expressed optimism that the awareness would yield the necessary results.
While urging women to seek early treatment at the hospital instead of prayer camps, he said the government could consider increasing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) premium for high income earners to help support vulnerable women with breast cancer.
Background
Mr Agbevem, who hails from Adutor close to Sogakope in the Volta Region, is a Chartered Accountant and has served in different capacities at the Metro Mass Transit Limited for the past 13 years prior to joining the Kaneshie Market Complex Limited.
He describes his journey at the company as a “learning curve” as his duties currently are quite different from his previous work in the transport and construction industries.
He loves reading and farming and had taught briefly at Nsaba Secondary School in the Central Region prior to pursuing other interests.
By Ernest Nutsugah
Hot!
Is the “Rev” title biblical?
In many Ghanaian churches, pastors are often introduced as “Reverend” or simply “Rev.”
The title is seen as a mark of respect, yet its biblical basis continues to stir debate.
While some Christians argue that it is a harmless way to honour church leaders, others insist it is unbiblical and should not be used at all.
Those who question the title usually point to the Bible itself. Nowhere in Scripture did Jesus or the apostles use “Reverend” for themselves or for one another.
Instead, they addressed each other as “brother” or “servant.” In Matthew 23, Jesus even warned his followers not to seek titles such as “rabbi” or “father,” teaching that all believers are equal under one God.
Critics also note that Psalm 111:9 describes God’s name alone as “holy and reverend” in the King James Bible.
To them, this means the word should be reserved for God, not for human beings. Others go further, citing Job 32, which cautions against giving flattering titles to men.
For such voices, the modern use of “Reverend” risks elevating pastors beyond what the Bible prescribes.
On the other hand, defenders of the title argue that it is not meant to replace God’s reverence but simply to acknowledge a minister’s role.
In many churches, “Reverend” is given to ordained ministers who have undergone training, much like the way a doctor is addressed as “Dr.”
The Bible itself, they point out, encourages believers to honour their leaders, with 1 Timothy 5:17 stating that elders who direct the affairs of the church well are “worthy of double honour.”
In this sense, the title is seen as a formal courtesy rather than a theological statement.
Supporters remind critics that Christianity does not operate in a vacuum but within cultural settings.
In Ghanaian society, respect for elders and authority is central to social order. Just as chiefs are addressed with titles such as “Nana” or “Togbe,” many Christians believe it is fitting to extend a similar courtesy to church leaders.
In their view, calling a pastor “Reverend” reflects Ghanaian values of honour and respect, and does not amount to worshipping a human being.
Yet the debate is far from settled. Some argue that the title has been abused, with individuals presenting themselves as “Reverend” without any proper training or accountability.
Calls have even been made for the regulation of church titles to prevent confusion and protect the credibility of ministry. Others, however, see no harm in its continued use, so long as it is not taken beyond what Scripture allows.
At the heart of the matter lies a bigger question: should Christians stick strictly to biblical language when addressing their leaders, or is it acceptable to adapt titles as society evolves?
The conversation is not just theological but cultural, touching on how Ghana balances respect for tradition with the authority of Scripture.
The debate over the “Rev” title is therefore not one with easy answers. What is clear, however, is that it forces us to reflect on how we show honour, how we interpret the Bible, and how faith interacts with our cultural practices.
As the discussion continues in church pews and on social platforms, we ask you: should pastors and ministers be called “Reverend,” or should Christians abandon the title altogether?
By: Jacob Aggrey
Hot!
Police confirm arrest of two suspects in Asankrangwa murder case
The Western Central Regional Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two men in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old man at the Asankrangwa Education Area on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
In a statement signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit, ASP Beatrice Turkson, the police said preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was chased and stabbed multiple times by a group of people.
The incident is believed to have stemmed from a misunderstanding between the deceased and one of the suspects, identified as 36-year-old Kwasi Opong.
According to the police, swift action led to the arrest of Opong and another suspect, 23-year-old William Francis Osei. Both are currently in custody assisting with investigations, while efforts are underway to apprehend another suspect who is still on the run.
The police noted that the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Asankrangwa Catholic Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
“The Command assures the public that all persons connected to this heinous crime will be brought to justice,” the statement said.
The police appealed to the public to provide any information that could assist in the ongoing investigations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
