24-Hour Economy markets designed to stimulate economic growth - Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has explained that the policy decision to construct modern multipurpose markets across the country was a major campaign promise aimed at creating wealth in beneficiary communities.

He said the model departs from traditional markets by incorporating banking services, storage facilities, fire and security services, as well as restaurants, crèches, and clinics to cater for the needs of traders, including emergency healthcare.

President Mahama made the remarks at the sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a 24-hour model market at Bimbilla in the Northern Region.

“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,” he said at the beginning of his two-day #ResettingGhana tour of the Northern Region.

He added, “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 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.”

The President announced that the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will introduce value addition to prolong the shelf life of food crops, prevent gluts, and help farmers and traders recoup their investments.

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), cautioned contractors on the project, warning that shoddy work will not be tolerated and that delays could lead to the termination of contracts.

President Mahama, who was accompanied by the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and other officials, also inspected progress on a 300-capacity three-storey hostel being constructed at the Bimbilla EP College of Education.