President John Dramani Mahama has officially broken ground for the construction of the iconic Asesewa Market, originally established in 1935.

The modernisation project, under the 24-Hour Market Initiative, aims to revive the once vibrant and influential market, famously featured in Ghanaian educational books such as “A Market Day at Asesewa”, which generations of basic school learners studied.

Once bustling with traders from Ashaiman, Tema, Accra, Koforidua, and beyond, the market gradually declined due to lack of investment and infrastructure expansion, losing its prominence to the Akateng community market along the Volta Lake.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, President Mahama emphasized that the 24-Hour Economy Market concept will be replicated across all 261 districts in Ghana, but highlighted Asesewa’s special historic significance.

The new market complex will feature 100 lockable stores and 150 open stores, a police station and fire station, daycare centre, pharmacy, and clinic.

Women’s Development Bank post, 10 warehouses and 36 washrooms, meat processing facilities and two cold stores.

It will also have a a first-class restaurant, food court, and supermarket, 6 guest rooms and a livestock area, an office for a market manager, sanitation yard, and open pavement.

President Mahama assured residents that major road networks connecting farming communities to Asesewa will be rehabilitated to ease transportation of produce, thereby reducing post-harvest losses.

Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, described the project as a catalyst for economic growth and income generation, particularly for farmers.

The Chief of Asesewa, Nene Offei Tagbadza, commended the President for fulfilling his long-standing promise. He recalled that Mahama had pledged in his 2016 manifesto to modernize the market, and praised him for returning to honor that commitment:

“Coming back to fulfill the promise you made in 2016, and many others to the people of Ghana, has indeed confirmed that you are the President who says it and does it.”

President Mahama’s visit to the Upper Manya Krobo District forms part of his three-day Resetting Ghana Agenda Tour in the Eastern Region