The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kasena Nankana West in the Upper East Region of the Northern Ghana , Mr. Stephen Aeke Akurugu, has stated that the 24-hour market project will create employment opportunities for the youth, empower traders and entrepreneurs, and enhance internally generated revenue (IGR) for the Kasena Nankana West District Assembly.
He explained that one of the main sources of funding for local development projects in the district is the Assembly’s IGR. This revenue, he said, is used to finance development initiatives, cover administrative overheads, repair infrastructure, and support operational activities such as healthcare services.
He further noted that many Assembly departments in Ghana use their IGR to support community infrastructure and maintain public facilities such as markets and lorry parks.
It is also used for administrative expenses and for operations including the purchase of supplies and maintenance repairs for health facilities like hospitals and clinics.
Speaking on the introduction of the 24-hour market project to the district, Mr. Akurugu described it as a major milestone in the government’s development efforts. He said the project is intended to stimulate economic growth, promote trade and industrial activities, create sustainable jobs, and improve the living conditions of the people.
According to him, the 24-hour market project is not just a construction of a facility, but a strategic investment in the economic future of the district. When completed, he said, it will provide a modern and conducive environment for trading activities, improve commerce, create jobs for the youth, empower traders and entrepreneurs, and increase revenue for the Assembly.
Mr. Akurugu expressed gratitude to the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, for the opportunity to showcase and commend traditional authorities, landowners, opinion leaders, and all stakeholders whose cooperation and commitment helped make the project a reality.He emphasized that development succeeds where there is unity, peace, and collective responsibility.
The DCE appealed to community members and all stakeholders to support the contractor Sunlu Ghana Limited with the necessary cooperation throughout the execution of the project. He urged everyone to create a peaceful and enabling environment to ensure the contractor works effectively and completes the project within the schedule and according to the required specifications.Mr. Akurugu reminded the people that the 24-hour market belongs to everyone and that its success will depend on their collective support, unity, and sense of ownership.
He also urged the contractor to uphold professionalism, maintain high quality standards, and complete the project on time to justify the confidence reposed in them by the government and the people of the district.
The Member of Parliament for Chiana-Paga Constituency in the Upper East Region, Mr. Nikyema Billa Alamzy, said the 24-hour market will be outstanding and beneficial to the district because of its location near the border.He explained that the facility will include key components such as a police station, fire post, kindergarten, cold store, lockable shops, meat shops, pharmacies, and other services.
Mr. Alamzy noted that traders from Burkina Faso often travel to places like Tamale, Kumasi, and Accra to buy goods and conduct business.
However, he said, once the 24-hour market is completed, many of them will travel less far to trade in Kasena Nankana West.He therefore called on residents to take advantage of the market to boost the local economy and to be innovative in traditional trade to help them capture the opportunity the market offers.
Source:mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya.