The Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the lives of Ghanaians through strategic infrastructure development.

He made this known during the commissioning of a newly constructed 188-unit lockable market at Agormanya in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, Eastern Region, on Monday, November 25, 2024.

The project, executed under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP) forms part of the government’s broader agenda to enhance urban infrastructure and economic activities in municipalities. Speaking at the event, Hon. Korsah emphasized the transformative impact the market will have on local commerce and community life.

“This market will not only provide a conducive environment for trading activities but also serve as a significant boost to the local economy. It underscores the government’s dedication to ensuring that citizens can carry out their economic activities in improved, dignified conditions,” he stated.

Hon. Korsah highlighted the government's investment of $245 million in the GSCSP since 2019, aimed at addressing urban challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and improving service delivery in 35 municipal assemblies across Ghana. In addition to markets, the program supports the development of roads, stormwater drains, transport terminals, sanitation equipment, and pedestrian walkways.

He charged the Municipal Chief Executive and Assembly to maintain the facility and ensure its long-term sustainability, cautioning that the Ministry would not tolerate negligence in this regard.

The Agormanya Market, with its modern infrastructure, is expected to significantly enhance trading activities within Odumase-Krobo and its environs. The Minister also acknowledged the contributions of traditional authorities and local stakeholders in the project’s successful execution.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Lower Manya Krobo, Simeon Kwaku Tetteh, expressed optimism about the positive economic impact the market would have on the community. He urged residents to support government initiatives, noting that such development projects are evidence of the prudent use of public funds.

Other notable projects in the municipality under the GSCSP include road upgrades, stormwater drainage systems, and the Business Resource Center, which has enhanced entrepreneurship and contributed to increased revenue generation.

Hon. Korsah further commended the World Bank for its decades-long partnership with Ghana in urban development. He also mentioned the government’s District Road Improvement Program (DRIP) as another critical initiative aimed at improving road infrastructure across all 261 districts.

The Minister concluded by expressing gratitude to the President, contractors, consultants, and all stakeholders for their efforts in delivering these projects, which he described as pivotal to the government's agenda of improving living standards in Ghana’s municipalities.

Ghana took the global spotlight at the Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo, where Honourable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ghana’s Minister for Works and Housing, delivered an address on November 5, 2024. In his statement, he highlighted Ghana's progressive approach to urban development, anchored by a series of innovative initiatives that underscore local action in the country’s development agenda.

Honourable Nkrumah pointed to the Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme as a flagship initiative within this framework. Funded by UN-Habitat, the program seeks to bolster the implementation of Agenda 2030 by focusing on data collection and analysis, while offering incentives for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) certification at the local level. “This program ensures that our urban centers are not just places of economic activity but hubs of sustainable growth,” Nkrumah stated, underscoring the program’s vision for resilient, data-driven urban planning.

The minister further cited several other ongoing projects that align with Ghana’s urban development goals. Notable among these are the Greater Accra Resilience and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, the European Union Sustainable Cities Project, the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP), and the Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project. Each of these projects, he noted, plays a critical role in transforming Ghana’s urban landscapes into sustainable, resilient, and economically inclusive environments.

In a major announcement, Nkrumah revealed the recent launch of a Districts Housing Program, an ambitious initiative aimed at investing in green housing and accompanying infrastructure in Ghana's rural districts. The program seeks to curb the ongoing trend of rural-to-urban migration by improving living conditions and economic opportunities in rural areas. “This initiative is designed to meet the housing needs of our districts while supporting the national agenda for green development,” he added, emphasizing the program’s potential to alleviate urban pressures by nurturing sustainable communities across the country.

In a related event on November 6, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, Ghana’s Head of Civil Service, inaugurated Ghana’s side event with the theme: Pursuing the Urban Agenda: The Successes and Challenges. Dr. Aggrey-Darkoh outlined Ghana’s strategic efforts to create inclusive, sustainable cities while tackling the multifaceted challenges brought about by rapid urbanization. He acknowledged that Ghana’s urban agenda is a collaborative journey that requires robust partnerships, local governance enhancement, and innovative solutions to ensure inclusive growth.

“Ghana recognizes that achieving our vision for urban areas is a shared responsibility,” Aggrey-Darkoh remarked, emphasizing the need to address systemic inequalities, enhance infrastructure, and build resilient institutions. He highlighted that Ghana’s urban future depends on collective actions that strengthen communities, drive economic growth, and ensure that no one is left behind.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

 Hon. Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, has officially commissioned state-of-the-art market facilities in Techiman South and Nkoranza South Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies.

 These projects, are being implemented under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP) through a $245 million World Bank facility, aimed to boost local economies and provide essential services to market users.

 Techiman South Metropolitan Assembly: Nana Abena Market

The newly completed Nana Abena Market in Techiman now features an array of facilities designed to serve both vendors and the broader community.

The Highlights of the project include; 122 lockable stores and 68 market stalls to accommodate diverse commercial activities.

Key service structures, including an administration block, creche, restaurant, and dedicated meat shop.

Critical safety and health infrastructure, with a new fire post, police post, and health post on site.

Enhanced sanitation through modern washrooms and an integrated drainage system, comprising 300 meters of 0.9-meter U-drain, 710 meters of 0.6-meter U-drain, and 900 meters of internal drainage.

Additional improvements include a 100-meter road junction upgrade, 1,900 square meters of paved walkways, perimeter fencing for security, and 28 streetlights to ensure safety and accessibility throughout the market area.

Nkoranza Municipal Assembly: Nkoranza New Market and Community Enhancements

In Nkoranza, the development features a two-storey block with 50 lockable stores and 100 market stalls, designed to expand local commerce. Other key facilities include:

Police and health posts to ensure a safe trading environment.

A 6-seater WC facility, along with two mechanized boreholes for consistent water supply.

A two-unit creche with an office to support families using the market.

 Strengthening Local Economies through Modern Infrastructure

Speaking at the commissioning, Hon. Korsah emphasized the transformative impact of these facilities. “These projects are a testament to our commitment to creating vibrant, resilient communities. By modernizing our markets and improving infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for sustainable growth and supporting local livelihoods.”

He encouraged municipal authorities to maintain these facilities and ensure they continue to meet the needs of the communities they serve. The projects reflect the Ministry’s dedication to sustainable urban development in partnership with the World Bank and local stakeholders, bolstering economic resilience in Ghana’s secondary cities.

SOURCE: Darling Maame Efua Cann and Stephanie Edem Klutsey

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)