By Samuel Ofori Boateng
Manso-Tontokrom (Ash), Aug. 3, GNA – The chiefs and people of Tontokrom in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region have cut the sod for the construction of a modern market complex to provide a conducive trading environment and boost economic activities in the community.
The 48-lockable-store market project, being executed as a self-help initiative under the leadership of the Unit Committee, is expected to provide traders with organised and improved spaces to conduct business while contributing to the socio-economic development of the town and its surrounding communities.
The sod-cutting ceremony brought together traditional leaders, members of the Unit Committee, residents and other stakeholders, who pledged their support towards the successful completion of the project.
Mr Kwame Owusu, Secretary of the Tontokrom Unit Committee, speaking at the ceremony, said the initiative was conceived to promote commercial activities and create economic opportunities for residents.
He explained that the market complex would provide a more organised trading environment and help improve business activities in the community.
Mr Owusu appealed to residents to support the project and other community-driven development initiatives, stressing that development could not be left solely in the hands of the government.
He said the readiness of residents to contribute resources towards projects that addressed their immediate needs demonstrated the community’s commitment to its own development.
Mr Owusu, therefore, encouraged individuals, businesses, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to support the initiative to ensure the timely completion of the market complex.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity for traditional leaders in Manso-Tontokrom to appeal to President John Dramani Mahama and the Government to extend the Big Push Road Development Programme to the community and its surrounding areas.
According to the leaders, poor road infrastructure remained one of the major challenges confronting residents, traders and businesses in the area.
They said Manso-Tontokrom and its environs had a large population and significant potential to develop into a major commercial hub, but the deplorable condition of roads continued to hinder the movement of people, goods and agricultural produce.
The leaders, therefore, appealed to the Government to prioritise the area under its road development agenda to improve accessibility and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah