President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of a modern 24-hour model market in Asesewa in the Eastern Region, fulfilling a campaign promise he first made to the community during the 2016 elections.

The ceremony, held on Friday, formed part of the President’s ongoing “Resetting Ghana” tour of the Eastern Region. Addressing residents, he acknowledged the nearly decade-long delay and reaffirmed his commitment to delivering the project.

“This market is going to be transformational. It is going to bring back the reputation of Asesewa as an economic centre, as a market centre,” he said.

The Asesewa project is one of 261 modern markets being developed across the country—one in each district—under a broader government programme to boost local economic activity.

President Mahama noted that the Asesewa market, which dates back to 1935, was once a prominent trading hub and even featured in primary school reading materials during his childhood. He said the new facility would restore the town’s status after years of infrastructure decline.

Modern Facilities to Drive Growth

The planned market will include 100 lockable stores, 150 open stalls, a shopping mall, a 10-unit food court, a clinic, pharmacy, women’s bank, 10 warehouses, two cold stores, a daycare centre, six guest rooms, a livestock trading area, a restaurant, as well as a police post and fire station.

President Mahama highlighted the inclusion of a women’s bank as a key security measure to help traders safely deposit their earnings, reducing the risk of robbery.

Road Access Critical to Success

He also stressed the importance of road infrastructure to the success of the project, directing the local Member of Parliament to engage him and the Roads Minister in Accra to secure funding under a World Bank-supported feeder roads programme.

“Without a good road network, if you put a market, it will not realise its full potential,” he noted.

The President expressed confidence that the new facility, together with the existing Asesewa market, would reposition the town as a major commercial hub in the region.