Western North Regional Minister Wilbert Petty Brentum has appealed to market women and residents of Sefwi Wiawso to remain patient as work continues on the delayed 24-hour economy market.
Mr Brentum made the call while inspecting development projects in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality as part of efforts to assess progress and support the timely completion of government-funded projects.
The exercise forms part of the Regional Coordinating Council’s ongoing monitoring programme across the region. During the tour, the minister said the government remained committed to ensuring that development reached communities and that promised projects were delivered.
“Government is poised to bring development to the people. We will continue to monitor these projects and make sure that what has been promised is delivered,” he said.
The 24-hour economy market was among the major projects visited. Construction has been affected by challenges involving the acquisition of suitable land, which contributed to delays in getting the project fully under way.
Mr Brentum said the difficulties did not mean the project had been abandoned and assured residents that efforts were being made to resolve them.
“There were some challenges with the land acquisition, and that affected the project to some extent. But that does not mean the project is abandoned. We are working to make sure that the challenges are resolved and the project is completed within the agreed period,” he said.
He added that the Regional Coordinating Council would maintain discussions with the relevant stakeholders to ensure construction progressed as expected.
According to the minister, the market’s location was carefully chosen because it could help expand commercial activity in Sefwi Wiawso and create opportunities linked to international trade.
“This market is strategically located, and when completed, it is going to promote not only local trading but also international market activities. We believe this facility will create more opportunities for our people,” he said.
The planned development includes supporting facilities designed to make the market safer, more accessible and more convenient for traders. These include a health post, a creche and a fire post, as well as other infrastructure.
“We are not just putting up a market. We are putting in facilities that will support the traders and make their work easier. There will be a health post, there will be a creche, and there will also be a fire post,” Mr Brentum said.
He urged the market women and the wider community to continue to exercise patience while the work was being completed.
“We are appealing to the market women and the people of Sefwi Wiawso to exercise patience. The project is coming, and when it is completed, it will be for their benefit. We are committed to making sure that the work is completed.”
The inspection also covered other ongoing projects in the municipality and allowed the minister to discuss their progress and challenges with stakeholders.
The projects are expected to improve infrastructure, widen economic opportunities and provide a more suitable environment for businesses and traders. The Regional Coordinating Council said it would continue monitoring them to ensure they met the required standards and were completed within the expected timelines.
