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The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has issued a stern warning to contractors involved in the government’s 24-Hour Economy Model Market programme. He emphasized that substandard work, project delays, and failure to follow specifications would not be tolerated. His remarks came as construction on the 24-Hour Economy Model Markets begins in Bimbilla, Nanumba North Municipality, and Kukuo, Tamale South Municipality, as part of the government’s Resetting Ghana Tour and decentralised infrastructure initiative.
The Minister underlined that these projects are vital national investments aimed at boosting local economies, and as such, they must be executed with utmost attention to quality, timelines, and cost-effectiveness. He assured that the government would not compromise on the integrity of project delivery, as the success of the programme hinges on the construction of durable, high-quality infrastructure.
Ibrahim revealed that enhanced monitoring systems have been implemented in all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to ensure thorough supervision of contractors and safeguard public resources. Contractors failing to meet the agreed standards face severe penalties, including possible contract termination.
The 24-Hour Economy Model Market programme is being rolled out across all 261 MMDAs in the country, with 16 benefiting in the Northern Region alone. This initiative is designed to foster continuous economic activity, upgrade market infrastructure, and create more opportunities for traders, farmers, and small businesses.
The markets in Bimbilla and Kukuo are part of the government’s broader decentralisation strategy aimed at improving local commerce, enhancing sanitation, and strengthening rural-urban economic ties.
The initiative is closely tied to the Accounting to the People Interactive Forum on Local Governance and Decentralisation, a key pillar of the Resetting Ghana Tour, which emphasizes transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.
Sod-cutting ceremonies for the projects were attended by Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials, local authorities, traditional leaders, traders, youth groups, and members of the respective communities. Stakeholders hailed the intervention, viewing it as a significant step toward improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities at the district level.
The government reiterated that quality assurance, strict supervision, and performance enforcement will be fundamental to the successful implementation of all infrastructure projects under the 24-Hour Economy Programme.
Story by Efua Nessa
Source: Loco tv