By Ewoenam Kpodo, GNA
Ho, May 01, GNA- Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister has set a clear benchmark for the region urging stakeholders, “Let us work together to make the Volta Region a model for the 24-Hour Economy agenda in Ghana.”
He charged contractors, assemblies, and community leaders to deliver quality work on all 18 new 24-Hour Economy Market projects across the region, declaring the region ready to “move from policy to implementation” under President John Dramani Mahama’s flagship economic programme.
Mr Gunu, at the contract signing ceremony for the market projects, said the initiative was “not just a policy direction” but a “practical pathway to job creation, increased productivity, and inclusive economic growth.”
The 24-Hour Economy Market initiative is a transformative project launched by President Mahama to establish modern, round-the-clock trading hubs in all 261 districts, featuring banks, storage facilities, clinics, and crèches for traders’ children in addition to dedicated fire and police posts, aimed at creating jobs, boosting productivity, and reducing import dependency.
The initiative formed part of the broader government’s 24-Hour Economy, an ambitious programme, aimed at maximising resource utilisation through shifts to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and increase productivity in the country, with the Volta Region being key – in terms of the Volta Economic Corridor Project (expected to transform Lake Volta into a logistics and production house).
The Regional Minister demanded transparency, quality delivery and timely execution of the projects from all actors, urging Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) to form implementation committees and take political interest in the projects while encouraging contractors to employ local artisans to boost the local economy, stressing that success hinged on collective commitment.
He warned contractors against unnecessary delays saying, failure to move to site and commencing works would be deemed sabotaging government which would necessitate abrogation of the contract.
The short, simple but significant ceremony brought together key stakeholders including Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, the Project Consultant (PPMC International Ltd), MDCEs, traditional leaders, market queens, coordinating directors, heads of departments and contractors.
Ms Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the DCE of Anloga told Ghana News Agency that the location for the district’s 24-Hour Market was some four-acre land at the current Anloga Market, noting the project would among others, modernise and upgrade infrastructure at the market to enable round-the-clock economic activities for traders, artisans, and young people.
Mr Nicholas Kwabla Worclachie, the MCE of Ketu South disclosed that about 10-acre land at Glidzi has been given as Ketu South’s choice for the new project, describing the location (along the Accra-Aflao Highway) as strategic because that area had been earmarked for a lot of structural developments.
Mr Dzifa Kumordzie of El-De Grandeur Consult, the contractor for the Ketu South project said, with the contract now signed, he would immediately mobilise to site as his firm had the financial muscle, personnel and the equipment to executive the project within schedule.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo