By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (V/R), May 15, GNA-Mr Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, the Member of Parliament (MP) of Keta Constituency, in the Volta Region, has defended the decision to site the government’s ultra-modern 24-Hour Economic market at Abor.
He insisted that the selection was based on clearly defined and transparent criteria and was not in any way discriminatory against other communities within the constituency.
Mr Gakpey, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), explained that the chosen location was required to be situated on a main road, demonstrate strong economic viability, and already exhibit existing round-the-clock business activity.
He stressed that Abor satisfied all three conditions convincingly and was therefore the most deserving site for the project.
He described the facility as not an ordinary market, which would be comprehensively equipped with a clinic, fire post, police post, crèche for children, stores, and sheds which also make it a truly ultra-modern trading facility designed to cater to the diverse needs of traders and market users at all hours of the day and night.
“Abor is fit for that purpose. Let me reaffirm that the project is in fulfilment of the campaign promise made by His Excellency the President to the people of Keta and the entire nation, and that its benefits would extend to the broader constituency, this is not about discrimination,” he said.
He mentioned that the President John Dramani Mahama led National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration would make sure that all communities within various constituencies in the country receive their portion of projects for development.
The Keta MP used the opportunity to raise serious concerns about land litigation in the area, which he identified as one of the most significant obstacles to development in the constituency.
He made a passionate appeal to chiefs, elders, and traditional authorities to willingly release lands to pave the way for accelerated infrastructure development across the Keta Constituency.
Mr Gakpey assured the constituents of a robust pipeline of projects set for commissioning in the near term, which would cover school buildings, health facilities, road infrastructure, among others.
He expressed optimism that the pace of development under the current administration would
bring long-awaited relief to communities across the areas.
He said: “The resolution of a longstanding water crisis in the Anyako and Seva communities is compelling evidence of the government’s genuine commitment to development. Residents of both communities, who had gone without access to potable water for over 20 years, had finally been provided with clean water under the present government.”
Mr Gakpey, on the area of employment and youth empowerment, announced that 50 slots were immediately available for young people interested in venturing into aquaculture, with the programme to be fully funded by the government in partnership with the relevant ministry, and strongly urged the youth of Keta municipality to seize the opportunity rather than waiting indefinitely for conventional white-collar employment.
He also proposed the establishment of what he termed a Food Security Unit, a dedicated agricultural formation to be embedded within the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, and other security agencies, where uniformed recruits would engage in farming as a structured contribution to national food security and a solution to the growing problem of youth unemployment.
He urged other policymakers and government officials at the highest levels to give serious consideration to the proposal, which he described as a potential revolution in the country’s approach to food security and youth development,
He called on the young people of the area to embrace agriculture, aquaculture, and other vocational opportunities as legitimate and dignified pathways to prosperity.
The GNA also gathered that the assembly in collaboration with the government are implementing initiatives to upgrade the Keta Central market to give it a modern face-lift to boost the local economy in the area, and the public is urged to support the initiative.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah