President Mahama cuts sod for 24-hour economy market at Asesewa
President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of a modern 24-hour economy market at Asesewa in the Upper Manya Krobo District in the Eastern Region.
It is part of his broader agenda to drive economic growth and improved infrastructure development in the districts.
The sod-cutting ceremony formed part of the President’s nationwide resetting agenda, which seeks to bring government closer to citizens, engage grass-roots communities, and provide updates on national policies and development initiatives.
The facility, when completed, will consist of a day-care centre, restaurants, police and fire stations, a clinic, cold storage units, a lorry station, lockable shops, warehouses, offices for market management, improved sanitation systems to support traders and 24/7 banking services for traders and non-traders to take advantage.
At a ceremony to commence construction works at Asesewa last Friday, President Mahama recalled the famous Asesewa market and its long-standing reputation as a vibrant trading centre for many years.
"Historically, Asesewa has been a market town for many years, but over time, the infrastructure has not kept pace, affecting its redevelopment and growth ", he stated.
President Mahama added that the new market was part of a nationwide initiative to develop 261 modern district-level market centres aimed at boosting commerce, expanding the local economy and creating jobs across the country.
24-hour economy
The 24-hour economy market, the President indicated, was expected to transform trading activities in Asesewa and its surrounding communities by providing improved facilities, enhanced security and extended operations hours.
The initiative, the President stated, was also to attract more traders as well as investors, helping to stimulate economic activity in the town and its catchment areas.
President Mahama recalled memories from years past when he served as the Grants Officer with Plan International Ghana at Asesewa many years ago.
"I promised you that I will provide a modern market centre in 2016 and that today I have come to fulfil the promise", he stated.
The President assured the chiefs and people of the area that the adjoining feeder roads to Asesewa would be rehabilitated to make the market regain its past glory.
Good plans
The Divisional Chief of Asesewa, Nene Offei Ta Gbaja, who represented the Konor of Manya Krobo Traditional Area and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Nene Sakite II, said President Mahama had a vision and good plans for the area, that was why he decided to bring infrastructure development to the area, particularly the 24-hour economy market centre.
He appealed to President Mahama to extend water supply to the area by tapping from the Manya Krobo District to its adjoining communities within the Upper Manya Krobo District.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Upper Manya Krobo Constituency, Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, said such an initiative would transform the district and boost the local economy.
