Construction of the Wa West District’s 24-hour economy market at Ponyentanga is progressing steadily, with work advancing on several key facilities at the project site.
The project, awarded to Sungviela Construction Limited, is expected to provide a modern commercial hub and boost economic activities in the district when completed.
The progress of the project came to light when the Upper West Parliamentary Caucus, accompanied by the Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing Esq., and other officials, inspected the site to assess the level of work.
Site Engineer for Homeland Resources Limited, Ali Abdul-Wahab, said construction was ongoing on multiple components of the project.
He said compaction works were underway at the notable shops, while the commercial facility had progressed to the ground beam stage.
“Currently, as you can see, we have our facilities that are ongoing. We have our notable shops; that is the one that we are doing compaction before the oversized concrete will come,” he stated.
According to him, steelworks for the commercial facility had been completed, with formwork underway ahead of concrete casting for the ground beam.
He added that excavation for the foundation of the meat house had also been completed, with concrete works expected to continue.
Abdul-Wahab said clearing was also being undertaken at other parts of the site to remove obstacles and pave the way for additional components of the project.
The Member of Parliament for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction after inspecting the project.
He said the progress was particularly encouraging because the commercial stores were already taking shape, while provision had also been made for security infrastructure, including police posts.
“What I’m impressed about is the fact that work is progressing steadily. The commercial stores, we can see they are working on it. I was interested in security, and they showed me where the security posts of the police station will be,” Toobu said.
He explained that the project has been given a 36-month completion period and is being funded through the District Assembly Common Fund, with an additional component provided through allocations from the Ministry of Finance.
According to him, the Assembly is meeting its financial obligations while the contractor is also demonstrating commitment to the project.
The development of the market has, however, resulted in the displacement of some residents whose structures were affected by the project.
The MP said traditional authorities had allocated land behind the new market to accommodate the affected residents.
The area, he said, is being planned as a new community to be known as the Ponyentanga New Town.
Some residents have already started moulding blocks at the new site, while the contractor has promised to support them with sand for construction.
The MP also pledged his support to the affected residents as they relocate.
He acknowledged the difficulties caused by the relocation but expressed optimism that the sacrifices would eventually translate into improved livelihoods and development.
“I’m quite convinced that in the next one year, the pain that they suffered will be reduced to joy. Because they will have seen the development of the community, the progress that is being made, and the fact that they’ve been relocated to a more serene environment where development is becoming new,” he said.
Toobu described the location of the market as strategic, particularly because it lies along the route from Sawla and is expected to attract travellers and traders.
He said the market could become a major commercial and stopping point for travellers, offering food, goods and other services beyond the traditional trading hours.
He expressed confidence that the project, when completed, would become one of the best 24-hour economy markets in the country and contribute significantly to the economic transformation of the Wa West District.
The MP said he would return to the site in the coming months to assess the progress of work and ensure that construction remains on schedule.
By Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara
