Work on Tamale Aboabo Supermarket resumes
President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the commencement of work on the abandoned Aboabo Supermarket in Tamale. The project that started in the mid-70s will also include a shea nut market where other cereals would be traded.
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The two-storey market complex will comprise 92 lockable stores and a supermarket that will contain 120 shops. It is scheduled for completion within 18 months.
The project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Trade and Industry under its Industrial Sector Support Programme and supported by the Ministries of Finance, Local Government and Rural Development.
Temporary difficulties
Addressing the traders and officials at the event on Tuesday, President Mahama once again stated that in spite of the economic challenges facing the country, the government would continue to focus on development projects.
He described the prevailing conditions as temporary difficulties and said the economy would soon turn around following the various measures the government had put in place to create wealth.
“Those who think that the current economic challenges facing the country are going to continue forever, will be disappointed because Ghana’s economy would turn around and this country will witness an unprecedented economic prosperity,” the President said.
President Mahama said the old Aboabo Market formed part of five model markets being constructed across the country, and would be replicated in other parts of the country, if the project proved successful.
He indicated that the completion of the Aboabo market would make Tamale the commercial hub for shea nut and cereals for the West African sub-region.
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The President promised that his government would complete all projects which had been abandoned by previous governments “so that the taxpayer’s monies sunk into them would not go waste”.
He said the decision to complete all abandoned projects was explicitly stated in the Constitution and therefore the ruling government was only working in tandem with the country’s laws.
Model markets
The acting Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Mustapha Ahmed, said the construction of the model markets was an initiative of the ministry to promote made-in-Ghana goods.
He stated that since Ghanaians were used to the market concept, the government would implement the model project to enhance trade and commercial activities in the country.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, on behalf of the chiefs and people, expressed his appreciation to President Mahama and the government for undertaking a number of development projects in the region such as the Fufulso-Damongo-Sawla road, hospitals and the upgrading of the Tamale Airport to an international status.