By Michael Petit Mawugbe (Efo Mawugbe)
Back from Lome
If Lomé is the epicentre of trade in West Africa, Asigamé is ground zero. A 2km block of narrow streets in downtown Lomé around the red Cathédrale Sacré-Coeur, packed with shops stretching across downtown, Asigame has become the trade hub for many African Traders as Ghanaian traders from Aflao, Ho, Accra, Kumasi troop there every now then to trade.
According to some market women this Editor spoke to, Asigame has been the go-to for 50+ years. I saw traders selling everything from shoes to fresh meat. And for Ghanaian traders, it has been a second home for more than 70 years.
Michael.Petit Mawugbe is Editornof senaradioonline.com and the Exposé Newspaper
Madam Brago, a Ghanaian Trader from Kumasi told me a typical Ghanaian trader leaves Accra or Aflao at 3-4 am crosses by 6am and trades all day in Asigamé, and returns the next morning or some times the same day.
She described how customs and the gendarmerie(military) at the Togo side of the boarder pester them when crossing but said they are often unperturbed due to the profits they make after they cross in and out to do business.
Shed added “Because official customs duties are high, many of us use informal routes — known locally as ‘beats’ — footpaths that link Ghana and Togo within the Aflao-Lomé border region”.
What was so interesting was that you could hear the Ghanaian Traders walking in group in the market speaking the local Akan dialect. Some who are non-Eves could even be heard saying neneo- to wit how much in Eve, an indication of how resilient Ghanaian Traders are.
With the introduction of AFCTA and given the challenges Ghanaian Traders face at the border with regards to duty, things are going to be smoother and easier for the Ghanaian Traders now.
“Previously, Customs would hold my bales at Aflao-Noepe for two days. You pay duty in Ghana, you pay again here. Sometimes the profit finishes at the border,” says, madam Akyaa a Trader who was arranging six-yard pieces that sell for 9,000 CFA (about $18) for Chinese prints to over 50,000 CFA for Dutch Vlisco.
Asigamé is known for the diversity of its goods, especially used items from Europe or the US, and its streets are splashed with vibrant fabrics: lace and wax prints and kinds of goods.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
