One of the market complex
By Bright Philip Donkor
The government, through the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, has commissioned state-of-the-art market facilities in the Techiman South and Nkoranza South municipalities to enhance local economic development, and promote better trading conditions for market women and local entrepreneurs.
Speaking during the commissioning yesterday, the sector Minister, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, said the newly completed Nana Abena Market in Techiman consisted of 122 lockable stores and 68 market stalls, designed to accommodate a wide range of commercial activities. He mentioned that the market featured essential service structures, including an administration block, a crèche, a restaurant and a dedicated meat shop.
Equipped
He indicated that it was equipped with crucial safety and health infrastructure, including a new fire post, a police post, and a health post on-site. The market also prioritized sanitation with modern washrooms and an integrated drainage system, featuring 300 meters of 0.9-meter U-drain, 710 meters of 0.6-meter U-drain, and 900 meters of internal drainage.
Additional enhancements included a 100-meter road junction upgrade, 1,900 square meters of paved walkways, perimeter fencing for security, and 28 streetlights to ensure safety and accessibility throughout the market area.
In Nkoranza, the development included a two-story block comprising 50 lockable stores and 100 market stalls, designed to boost local commerce. Key facilities at this site include police and health posts to maintain a secure trading environment. It also features a six-seater WC facility, two mechanized boreholes for a reliable water supply, and a two-unit crèche with an office to support families using the market.
GSCSP
The Minister further indicated that the projects were being implemented under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP) through a $245 million World Bank facility, scheduled to run until 2025. He emphasised that the rapid growth of the urban population over the past decade had significantly strained the country’s urban infrastructure and challenged the capacity of urban Assemblies to provide quality services.
He noted that Ghana’s urbanization rate had risen steadily, reaching a pivotal milestone in 2021 when more than 50 percent of the population began residing in urban areas. “This growth has not only intensified stress on existing infrastructure but has also adversely impacted the quality of life for many citizens,” the Minister explained. The rapid urbanization, he added, had brought complex and seemingly insurmountable challenges that require robust interventions.
In light of these challenges, the Minister reiterated, the Government of Ghana’s strategic partnership with the World Bank through the GSCCP was a “testament to our commitment to addressing the urbanization challenges facing secondary cities”.
Collaboration
The Minister emphasised the importance of collaboration among various national institutions to ensure the effective implementation of the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program. He explained that the programme was a coordinated effort involving several national agencies, including the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS) to ensure skilled officers were appropriately posted, the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) to manage regional coordination, and the Land Use and Spatial Development Authority (LUSPA) alongside the Lands Commission (LVD) to guarantee proper land use and spatial planning.
He added that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) played a role in ensuring that projects were executed in an environmentally friendly manner, while the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) oversaw the maintenance of workers’ human rights at project sites.
“The programme provides an integrated package of support to strengthen the capacity of urban Assemblies,” the Minister stated. He highlighted that the initiative included the development of essential infrastructure, such as roads, stormwater drains, pedestrian walkways, street electrification, markets, business advisory centers, transport terminals, and sanitation equipment, to elevate the status of participating municipalities.
Objectives
Outlining the programme’s objectives, he emphasised the goal of building the institutional capacity of beneficiary Assemblies for improved urban management, and enhancing the provision of social infrastructure. “Today, we are here to commission various projects completed by the Government, which will serve as a foundation for improved service delivery,” the Minister indicated. He acknowledged the vital role played by traditional leaders, chiefs, opinion leaders, and community members in the successful completion of these projects.
The Minister recalled the sod-cutting ceremony led by his predecessor, Mr. Daniel Botwe, and expressed pride in the project’s timely completion. “At that event, it was stated that within a year, this market would be completed for use, and today, we have delivered on that promise,” he remarked.
Commitment
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of citizens, saying “Our determination is to ensure that citizens can engage in economic activities in an improved, healthy environment, which upholds human dignity.” He underscored the significant investment made in these facilities.
He gave a directive to Municipal Chief Executives: “Ensure that this market is put to good use and implement measures to maintain these facilities for long-term sustainability. The Ministry will not tolerate any Assembly that fails to uphold this responsibility”.
He expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its continuous support to the Government of Ghana in the urban sector over the past 30 years, through various programmes, including technical assistance and investment projects aimed at enhancing urban planning, management, and service delivery across the country. He also thanked President Akufo-Addo for his vision, as well as the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs), contractors, consultants, and various stakeholders who contributed to the success of the initiative.
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