Minister of Trade (L), President Mahama and Vice President Naana Jane at a 24-Hour Economy event
The Shama Municipal Assembly in the Western Region has earmarked the Shama Junction market to operate under the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy.
To this end, Paul Otis Dentu, the Shama Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has said the Assembly had put in place plans to revamp the facility to provide safe working space for traders to offer round-the-clock services to customers and clients.
Constructed in 2003, the Shama Junction market has struggled to thrive compared to markets in nearby areas like Inchaban and Beposo, with traders blaming poor infrastructure and weak maintenance oversights.
However, the MCE in an interview stated that the government would rehabilitate the facility to meet the demands of the market women.
He said: “We have chosen this market to operate under the government’s flagship 24-Hour economy policy because of its certain criteria like its proximity to a fuel station, entrance and exit points, and has the space, so we will do all we can to make it happen.”
Dentu said the move was part of the Assembly’s commitments to boost economic activities and propel growth in the municipality.
Meanwhile, the market women have welcomed the Assembly’s idea but called on authorities to put in place stringent mechanisms to ensure the success of the 24-Hour economy initiative.
Madam Mary Narkwah, a leader in the market, said: “We welcome the initiative, but we want authorities to clear those selling by the roadside, and commercial drivers also given a loading terminal so that our customers and clients can patronise our goods in the market.”
She said the success of the 24-Hour economy policy in the Shama Junction Market would depend on how swiftly authorities addressed their concerns.
