By Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy
President John Dramani Mahama has ceremoniously broken ground for the construction of a state-of-the-art 24-hour market complex in Asesewa, in a decisive move to resuscitate the town’s once-thriving commercial heartbeat.
The project delivers on a crucial campaign pledge and anchors a sweeping national blueprint to establish 261 modern 24-hour markets across Ghana, designed to invigorate trade, stimulate local enterprise, and fortify district economies.
Addressing dignitaries and market stakeholders at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony, President Mahama declared that the initiative is strategically crafted to expedite progress at the grassroots level.
“The 24-hour markets are meant to accelerate developmental activities in their respective districts,” he said.
The architectural blueprint for the Asesewa complex is comprehensive and commerce-centric. It will feature 100 secure, lockable stores and 150 open stalls to accommodate a diverse cadre of traders. Sanitation and public health are prioritized with 36 modern washroom facilities. A dedicated police post and fire station will be embedded within the precinct to guarantee security and swift emergency response.
In a deliberate effort to empower market women and enhance welfare, the facility will incorporate a daycare centre, a fully stocked pharmacy, and a clinic manned by qualified health professionals for emergency care. A Women’s Bank will also operate within the complex to dismantle financial barriers and expand access to credit for female entrepreneurs.
The infrastructure suite extends further to include 10 expansive warehouses, a specialized meat shop, two cold storage units, a restaurant with expansive food courts, and a shopping mall complemented by six guest rooms. Provision has also been made for a designated livestock trading enclave, an administrative office for the market manager, and a modern lorry terminal to streamline haulage and logistics.
The project is poised to transmute Asesewa into a preeminent commercial nexus, unlocking employment opportunities and substantially elevating livelihoods across the enclave.