Asesewa: President John Dramani Mahama has initiated the construction of the 24-Hour Economy Model Market at Asesewa in the Eastern Region. This development aims to restore Asesewa Market as a central economic hub for the nation.
According to Ghana News Agency, the sod cutting ceremony marked part of President Mahama's Two-day Resetting Ghana Agenda Tour of the Eastern Region. This tour, the third following visits to the Bono and Savannah Regions, provides citizens the opportunity to directly engage with the President, led by their traditional leaders, to discuss policy initiatives, the impact on their daily lives, ongoing development projects, and issues needing attention.
During the ceremony, President Mahama highlighted the historical significance of Asesewa as a market town since its founding in 1935. He recalled, 'When we were growing up as young children, some of our primary school readers were mentioning Asesewa market. They talked of Mr. Danso, the lorry driver, and how he used to drive his truck to bring market women to the Asesewa market.' He emphasized the decline in the market's prominence due to underdeveloped infrastructure over the years.
In 2016, President Mahama had pledged to rejuvenate the Asesewa market if re-elected. He stated that the modern markets across the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are designed to boost economic activities in their respective districts. The Asesewa 24-Hour Economy Model Market will feature 100 lockable stores, 150 open stores, a Police Station, a Fire Station, a kindergarten, a women's bank, a clinic, and 36 warehouses.
President Mahama expressed optimism about the market's transformative potential, saying, 'This market is going to be transformative. It's going to bring back the reputation of Asesewa as an economic center, as a market centre.' He also noted the strategic location of the market within Asesewa, which, along with the old Asesewa Market, will bolster the town's reputation as a central economic market.
Addressing water supply issues, President Mahama remarked on the incomplete water project that initially drew water from Kpong directly to Koforidua, bypassing Asesewa. During his previous administration, efforts were made to rectify this by extending the pipeline to the District Assembly. 'Unfortunately, we lost power (in 2016) and we left. I didn't know that I would come back as President many years later and find that the Asesewa water project has not been completed. Nene, water is life,' he stated, pledging to complete the project to benefit Asesewa and surrounding areas.
Additionally, President Mahama mentioned ongoing road construction efforts nationwide, with plans to include Asesewa roads under the World Bank programme for feeder roads. He assured, '.Let us get Asesewa's share of those roads for you. And so, I can assure you, we are going to add the feeder roads in Asesewa to this project so that we can improve the road network to make the best use of the Market.'