Goods are available in abundance — and easy to find at Makola market. Stalls that sell the same type of product, such as fish or yams, are located together. Most are owned by women. In hundreds of stores on surrounding streets, men sell appliances and machinery.

Accra’s 17 major markets are essential to the city’s growing population. From 1960 to 1990, the population quadrupled, reaching 1.6 million. Although many city dwellers have small farm plots, most of their goods are trucked in from afar.

As long as people can remember, a market has been standing on the site of the “31 December Makola Market.” The date reflects both Ghana’s history and the economic power of market women.

It harks back to the day in 1981 when Flight Lt. J. J. Rawlings staged a coup and became Ghana’s head of state. He has since been elected and re-elected as president.

It refers to the 31 December Women’s Movement, organized in 1982 to represent women’s economic and political interests.