Official Sod Cutting for the Construction of Dodowa and Asutsuare Market.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Ishmael Ashittey has said it is becoming increasingly imperative for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies(MMDAs) to improve conditions in the market place to promote socioeconomic development.

He said the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed security and safety challenges that exist in our market place.

He made the statement on the occasion of the sod-cutting ceremony held at separate occasions at Dodowa and Asutuare for the construction of 40 lockable shops, 40 open sheds, and a creche.

He said we need market facilities that will address the insanitary conditions and the frequent fire outbreaks in our markets.

"It is my expectation that the project would improve the economic well-being of the people, generate more revenue for the assembly and bring the expected development," he said.

He advised the Assembly to keenly supervise the construction process for speedy and timely completion to avoid overruns.

In a short speech, the Chief Executive Officer of Coastal Development Authority (CODA) urged the contractor to engage the services of local artisans in the area to construct the project.

He said credit union is due to be launched to facilitate business expansion and social well-being of market women and farmers in the area.

He said the construction of a creche within the market is to provide convenience to market women.

In a welcome address, the District Chief Executive of Shai Osudoku Hon. Daniel Teye Akuffo said the history of the Dodowa market cannot be written without recognizing the key role of the CODA for its financial support, without which, the event would not have been possible.

He said markets play a valuable role in promoting and facilitating economic efficiency by facilitating exchange and the coordination of many different kinds of resources, goods, and services.

"The Assembly will continue to implement its developmental agenda by improving on the livelihood of the constituents through the provision of essential social and economic infrastructure," He said.

The New Patriotic Party Parliamentary Candidate for Shai Osudoku Constituency Mr. Benjamin Nargeh urged the people not to politicize the use of the market as that would hinder development.

CODA gave out 2000 nose mask for distribution to the market traders.

In a closing remark, the chairman for the Occasion Nene Okukurabour Teye Agyeman V commended the government for the project and urged residents to support the completion of the project.

He threw a word of caution to any existing saboteurs who, characteristically, would want to oppose the project, adding that authorities would not hesitate to resort to the legal institutions.

SOURCE: ISD(SODA)