Ketu north: Reverend Martin Amenaki, the Municipal Chief Executive for the Ketu North Municipal Assembly, along with Assembly officials and consultants, has visited three potential sites for a proposed 24-hour economy market in the municipality. The assessment aims to identify a suitable location for the ambitious project designed to boost economic activities in the region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initial proposal from the Assembly involved a six-acre land parcel along a major road. However, after consultations with community members and opinion leaders, an alternative suggestion emerged to redevelop the existing central market to enhance accessibility and economic activity. The consultants visited the old market site, estimated at about 1.92 acres, but deemed it inadequate due to space constraints, as the project requires a minimum of three acres to include essential components like parking space.
Ongoing construction activities and road reservations could further reduce usable space at the old market site, making it unsuitable for the project's full scope, Rev. Amenaki noted. The team also inspected a second location at Dzeshime, which, despite its strategic position, measured approximately 1.98 acres, still below the required size for the market.
Mr. Kwasi Aboagye of PPMC International, consultants for the project, confirmed that three sites have been assessed. He stated that the municipality is expected to benefit from a 'Model Three' 24-hour market, featuring shops, a banking facility, a police post, a daycare center, open trading sheds, and a car park. The consultants have requested detailed layout plans for the proposed sites to determine the feasibility of adjustments to fit the project.
Mr. Aboagye mentioned that although the ideal land size for the model market ranges between two and three acres, slightly smaller spaces could still be considered with appropriate design modifications. He added that if the land is slightly less than two acres, they would assess how best to manage it to meet the project's requirements.