By Benjamin Makafui Attipoe, Dabala
The Dabala market in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region has been selected for a complete facelift under the government’s flagship 24-hour economy market initiative. It is against this background that the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Hon. Victoria Dzeklo has handed over the site to the contractors and consultants at a colourful ceremony at Dabala to kick-start the project.
The existing Dabala market is one of the two major markets in the South Tongu district. It attracts traders from all walks of life including nearby town such as Akatsi, Ada, Anloga, Agbozume and Sege as well as distant communities like Tema, Ashaiman and Ho.
Even though the market is highly patronized by the general public including the citizens and non-citizens of Tongu, infrastructure including market sheds and stalls as well as other facilities are deteriorating. Apart from the main Dabala lorry park which is paved, the entire market has no single pavement anywhere, making movement and marketing very difficult and frustrating especially during the rainy season. Drainage challenges are also associated with the market which is located on a 12.44 acre plot of land.
It is against this backdrop that the Dabala market has been selected to become the epicenter of the 24-hour economy market initiative of government in the South Tongu district.
The handing over of the site event was attended by a large number of people including then traditional authorities of the Agave State, Assembly Members, market women as well as residents of Dabala.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Hon. Victoria Dzeklo, supported by the traditional leaders handed over the site to the contractors, Titanium for Commence & Contracting based in Accra for the execution of the project within twenty-four (24) months. The Project Manager of the Company, Mr. Sammy Duke Anane gave the assurance that the project would be delivered on time and according to the proposed plan and specifications.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, the DCE noted that the initiative was a fulfillment of part of the campaign promise of the NDC party under President John Dramani Mahama. She explained that the choice of Dabala market for the project was not a unilateral decision but a consensus one reached by all the relevant stakeholders including the traditional authorities, the market queens and women as well as the General Assembly of the district represented by the Assembly Members.
Hon. Dzeklo disclosed that apart from the facelift of the existing market to meet the 24-hour economy market initiative standard, the new market would have facilities such as a gym, crèche and a police station. She urged the market women to embrace the policy, explaining that the idea is to make Dabala market an economic hub where apart from the normal 5-day cycle market days, business activities would run on all other days during the day and night. This, she said would go a long way to transform their businesses and create more jobs for the people.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Hon. Maxwell Kwame Lukutor described the initiative as a dream come true, assuring that government would continue to implement policies and programmes that would change the economic fortunes of the people. Hon. Lukutor urged the people to continue to pray for the President and all the country’s leaders so that the reset agenda would touch the nuke and cranny of the country.
The Paramount Chief of the Agave Traditional Area and President of the Agave Traditional Council, Togbega Xedihor Hlitabo IV was grateful to the President, the Regional Minister and the South Tongu DCE and MP for the initiative and commitment and urged the people of the area not only to embrace it but also support its fullest implementation for the benefit of the entire district.
Togbega Xedihor Hlitabo IV stressed the need for unity among his subjects, calling for all hands on deck towards the total development of the Agave State.
Present at the ceremony included the former DCE for South Tongu, Hon. Samuel Mawuko Eworyi, Paramount Queen Mother of the Agave Traditional Area, Mamaga Nyagadze III, the Queen Mother of Dabala, Mama Akobo III, the Presiding Member of the District Assembly, Hon. Mensah Kwaku Kudze as well as the Assembly Member for the Dabala Electoral Area, Hon. Stephen Aho.
