The Ahanta West Municipal Assembly has received GH¢1.98 million under the 2026 Urban Development Grant (UDG) to facilitate the resumption of stalled development projects, including the construction of 50 lockable stores and ancillary facilities at the Agona Nkwanta Market.
The funding, amounting to GH¢1,986,666.22, is expected to provide a major boost to trading activities at the market, improve the trading environment and stimulate economic activity within the municipality.
The project, being implemented under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP), had slowed significantly due to delays in the release of funds, leaving contractors unable to sustain construction works amid outstanding interim payments.
Addressing the Assembly at its latest sitting, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ahanta West, Engr. Ebenezer Kofi Aidoo, said the Assembly had maintained engagements with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and other stakeholders to secure the release of the funds and revive the projects.
He said the Assembly had since prioritised the settlement of outstanding contractual obligations, including final payments for the completed Domeabra and Damtse Road Projects, while also honouring outstanding interim payments to enable contractors working on the Apowa TUC Junction–Estate Road and Agona Nkwanta Market Stores projects to return to site.
“Construction activities have now resumed in earnest,” Engr. Aidoo told the Assembly, assuring that the projects would be closely monitored to ensure their timely completion.
The completion of the 50 lockable stores and ancillary facilities is expected to provide traders with improved and more secure spaces to conduct their businesses, while creating a more organised and modern market environment.
The MCE said the investment would not only improve trading conditions but also contribute to the expansion of local economic activity and enhance the livelihoods of residents who depend on commerce and related activities for their income.
Beyond the market project, Engr. Aidoo said the Assembly was also making progress on other key development initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and strengthening the local economy.
Under the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) Project, implemented with financial support from the Government of Norway, construction of the Cassava Processing Factory at Apimanim has reached approximately 70 per cent completion.
He said the remaining civil works were expected to be completed by August 2026.
According to the MCE, the facility, when operational, would promote value addition to cassava, reduce post-harvest losses, create employment opportunities and contribute to strengthening the local economy.
He said the Assembly remained committed to ensuring that ongoing development projects were completed to deliver tangible benefits to residents across the municipality.
By Eric Yaw Adjei
