President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the strategic decision to build modern multipurpose markets around the country was a major campaign pledge to generate income for the recipient communities.
In contrast to traditional markets, the architecture he described allows for banking services, storage, fire and security protection, and other services including eateries, crèches, and clinics to meet merchants’ medical needs in an emergency.
Speaking during a ceremony to lay the groundwork for the construction of a 24-hour model market at Bimbilla in the northern region, President Mahama promised that the facility would benefit all 261 of Ghana’s districts.
President Mahama stated at the start of his two-day #ResettingGhana visit of the northern area, “Everywhere we have our traditional markets, traders with farm produce and other wares gather once or twice a week, and people come from far and near to do business. We intend to build these markets to operate around the clock, thereby stimulating economic activity. This was a campaign promise, and we are committed to fulfilling it.”
“One of the important aspects of agriculture is marketing. If you farm and don’t have a market for your produce, it’s useless. There must always be e a linkage, and so the market is the interconnection between the food on our table and the farmer producing in the field. Bimbilla, being one of the major food baskets, deserves one of the biggest,” he continued.
The president said that the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will implement value addition to extend the shelf life of food crops, reduce gluts, and assist farmers and traders in recovering their investments.
Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, issued a notice to project contractors, warning them that poor work would not be allowed.
He stated that projects will be withdrawn from contractors that cause delays in their completion.
President Mahama, along by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and other officials, observed the progress of construction of a 300-person three-story hostel at the Bimbilla EP College of Education.
Source: newsthemegh.com