Government to construct 180 lockable storey building at Agona Swedru Mandela Market to improve local economy

Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Decentralization, Hon. Dan Kwaku Botwe has cut sod for construction of Phase 1 of 180 lockable storey building at the Mandela Market in Agona Swedru to facilitate commercial activities and also boost the local economy.

The project which is part of UDG is being funded by the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme, a World Bank Loan facility aimed at improving the road network in the Agona West Municipality and also to enhance socio-economic activities.

At a ceremony to cut the sod for the commencement of the project, the sector Minister, Hon. Dan Kwaku Botwe stressed the commitment of the NPP government towards the development of every community in the country to improve the quality of lives of the people and also eradicate poverty.

He noted that his Ministry was created mainly to send good governance to the doorsteps of the people instead of always depending on the Central Government for infrastructure and human development.

According to him, the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies across the country exist to ensure the needs of the people in its catchment area are fully provided as part of their fair share of the national cake.

"This edifice when completed will improve the economic lives of the people in the Agona West Municipality and it is my hope that the project is completed on time to serve its purpose.

"I must commend the regent of Agona Swedru, Nana Kweku Essieni V, and his Nananom for promising to ensure that the contractor working on the project is accorded maximum support to execute it with ease. This is indeed value for money and am grateful for the assurance.

"The NPP Government is focused on its mandate to serve Ghanaians with commitment and readiness to improve infrastructure and human development. It is an open secret that President Akufo Addo-led NPP Government has performed creditably and has also gained credibility to seek loans and other funds to carry out projects and other interventions meant to ensure that the quality of lives of the people is improved significantly.

"The fund for the project is fully secured, so it will be completed on time. Swedru deserves better and we at the Ministry will carry out effective monitoring and supervision to ensure good job is done. I wish to say that the local content in the contract documents are carried out, meaning that most of the workers for the project would be employed in the Agona Swedru and its surrounding areas to reduce unemployment, " Hon Dan Kwaku Botwe assured.

The Central Regional Minister, Hon. Mrs Justina Marigold Assan disclosed that Agona West Municipal Assembly qualified to be among 25 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the country to benefit from the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme due to its quality leadership.

She noted that the Agona West Municipal Assembly qualified to be among the programme on merit due to prudent measures put in place to eradicate poverty in the Municipality.

"I thank President Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Muhamudu Bawumia for this beautiful edifice which would include the construction of roads to enhance the smooth transportation of goods and services.

"Agona West Municipality has benefited immensely from the NPP government and we are extremely happy for President Akufo Addo. I want to appeal for maximum support from residents towards early completion of the project. We should all keep an eye on the contractor and his workers to carry out the project as expected.

"I also wish to thank Hon. Dan Kwaku Botwe for making sure that the local content as enshrined in the project contract is utilized to create jobs for the local people in the vicinity," he stressed.

The Agona West Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Evans Addison Onoma Coleman disclosed that the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Preprogramme was also meant to ensure the development of Agona West as a whole because most roads in the Municipality would see bitumen surfacing to improve transportation.

He assured the commitment of the Assembly towards the early completion of the project. " We in the Agona West Municipal Assembly will collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that the projects are completed within the stipulated durations," he intimated.

Member of Parliament for Agona West Constituency, Hon. Mrs Cynthia Mamley Morrison appreciated the projects which she said would improve the local economy in the Agona West Municipality.

The Regent of Agona Swedru, Nana Kweku Essieni V, who chaired the occasion tasked the management of BEA-NEWT Company Limited led by Mr. James Horror who are executing the project to carry out an excellent job adding that the doors of the Swedruman Council of Chiefs were wide opened for consultation and collaboration in any matter related to the early completion of the project.

Present were MMDCEs from Awutu Senya East, Effutu, Agona East, Assembly Members, Heads of Department, personnel from the security agencies and other dignitaries.