Resetting Ghana Tour: President Mahama inspects Nadowli 24-hour market

President John Dramani Mahama has inspected the ongoing construction of a 24-hour market at Nadowli-Kaleo in the Upper West Region as part of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour.

The project is part of the government’s initiative to construct 24-hour markets across all 261 constituencies to expand trading opportunities, strengthen local economies and provide farmers with reliable outlets to market their produce.

During the inspection, President Mahama commended the contractor for the progress of work, describing the contractor as serious and on course to complete the project.

He, however, expressed concern over delays at some other project sites, attributing the situation to contractors who lacked the financial capacity to commence work after being awarded contracts.

According to President Mahama, contractors undertaking the projects were expected to have sufficient resources to commence work without waiting for mobilisation payments.

He explained that government would make payments once contractors achieved 15 per cent completion, with subsequent payments supporting the continuation of work until the projects were completed.

“The money is available, so there is no reason why any contractor should fail to advance the work to this stage,” President Mahama said.

He urged contractors working on the 24-hour market projects across the country to emulate the pace of work at Nadowli.

President Mahama said the markets were critical to strengthening the economic life of communities by creating dependable spaces where farmers could sell their produce.

He cited commodities such as pepper, onions and maize, saying the markets would enable farmers to display and sell their produce while creating opportunities to earn better incomes.

The President also acknowledged the strong interest shown by women in the Nadowli project, noting that many women in the community were eager to see the facility completed.

He encouraged the contractor to sustain the current pace of work and assured residents that government would return to commission the completed facility alongside traditional leaders and other stakeholders.

Mahama Orders Immediate Bridge Inspection

President Mahama also directed the immediate assessment of a bridge in the area following concerns raised by chiefs during his visit.

He instructed the Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, who was present at the inspection, to direct the technical team to assess the condition of the bridge and take the necessary steps to address the problem.

The President said government already had the required steel components and directed that they be mobilised and installed to help reopen the affected route.

He said the intervention would restore access and ease movement for residents in the affected community.