The Effutu Municipal Assembly has intensified consultations with traders and artisans ahead of the proposed construction of a multipurpose market in the municipality, a project being undertaken under the Government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
The stakeholder engagement, held on Tuesday, August 25, brought together Municipal Assembly Officials, representatives of the traditional authorities, traders, artisans and other key stakeholders to discuss the proposed development, the temporary relocation arrangements and concerns likely to arise during the construction period.
The meeting was led by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Rev. Atta Mensah, and attended by the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Majeed Ayariga as well as other senior Management Members of the Assembly.
Addressing the stakeholders, Rev. Atta Mensah said the proposed multipurpose market formed part of the Government’s broader 24-Hour Economy programme under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, with similar interventions expected across the country’s 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
He said the project was intended not only to provide a modern and more organized trading environment, but also to strengthen local economic activity by creating an improved space in which traders, artisans, consumers and other businesses could operate.
According to the MCE, the success of the project would, however, depend significantly on cooperation between the Assembly and the people directly affected by the construction.
He therefore appealed to traders and artisans to cooperate with the Assembly and relocate temporarily to the site prepared for them to enable construction works to commence.
Rev. Mensah explained that the temporary relocation was necessary to make the existing site available for construction and to prevent activities on the project area from creating avoidable delays.
He acknowledged that relocation could present challenges for traders and artisans whose livelihoods depend on daily commercial activities, but stressed that the temporary arrangement should be viewed as part of the transition towards a permanent facility.
He urged stakeholders to engage the Assembly whenever they encountered difficulties with the relocation process rather than allowing misunderstandings to escalate.
The MCE’s appeal underscores the importance of sustained two-way communication in major public infrastructure projects, particularly where construction activities directly affect livelihoods, mobility and access to trading spaces.
The Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Majeed Ayariga, reinforced the call for collaboration, urging traders and artisans to work closely with the Assembly and comply with the agreed relocation arrangements.
A major feature of the engagement was an open forum during which traders and artisans were given the opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification and make suggestions about both the proposed market and the temporary relocation.
The interactive session provided an opportunity for the Assembly to hear directly from people whose businesses would be affected by the construction process.
Such engagements are particularly important in ensuring that public infrastructure projects are not treated merely as administrative decisions but as initiatives shaped, where possible, by the experiences and concerns of the communities they are intended to serve.
The discussions also created an avenue for stakeholders to seek clarity on the relocation process and to raise issues that may require further attention from the Assembly before construction begins.
The engagement comes at a critical stage of preparations for the multipurpose market project, with the temporary relocation expected to pave the way for construction activities.
For the project to achieve its intended economic and social benefits, sustained communication between the Assembly and affected stakeholders will remain essential.
Beyond informing traders about decisions already taken, continued engagement could provide a mechanism for identifying emerging challenges, addressing legitimate concerns, improving compliance and building public confidence in the project.
The Assembly is therefore expected to maintain consultations with traders, artisans, traditional authorities and other relevant stakeholders throughout the transition and construction phases.
The broader objective is to ensure that the temporary disruption associated with relocation is managed responsibly while keeping stakeholders informed about developments and creating space for their concerns and feedback.
For the Effutu Municipality, the proposed multipurpose market represents more than a physical infrastructure project. Its successful implementation could contribute to a more orderly trading environment, support local commerce and provide a foundation for expanded economic activity under the 24-Hour Economy agenda.
The effectiveness of the project, however, will ultimately depend not only on construction but also on the quality of collaboration among the Assembly, traders, artisans and the wider community.
A sustained culture of dialogue, transparency, accountability and mutual respect will therefore be critical to turning the proposed development into a project that commands broad community ownership and delivers lasting value to the people of Effutu.
Story By: Charles Baah Aboagye & Blessing Gadeka
Picture Credit: Emmanuel Agosu
ISD- Effutu Municipal Assembly
Information Services Department
ISD-EFFUTU
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