The Bolgatanga East District Assembly has defended its decision to expand the existing Zuarungu Market for the government’s 24-Hour Economy market initiative, saying relocating to a new site would leave the district’s “capital market” non-viable.
The District Chief Executive, Jacob Abugre Aka-Eri, made the clarification in an interview on A1 Radio, responding to questions on why the Assembly chose Zuarungu over a new site like some other assemblies in the region. “Zuarungu is the capital market”
According to the DCE, Zuarungu is the commercial and administrative heart of Bolgatanga East and deserves infrastructure that matches its status. “So the Zuarungu market, to me, is the capital of the Bolga East District, and if you get to the market, it is too small, the number of stores and sheds are not that many,” he said.
He noted that, apart from buildings put up in 2016 through the efforts of the Member of Parliament and the then Minister of Trade, little development has happened at the market. “If you get to the roadside, you see that there are stores, but go behind, they are just houses and some vacant lands, dilapidated structures, and businesses are not there, just at the roadside alone,” Mr. Aka-Eri explained.
The DCE argued that building a new market elsewhere while leaving Zuarungu underdeveloped would not serve the district’s long-term interest. “So it will be decided to go and relocate another market somewhere and leave this market that is not viable. So that’s why we want to expand the capital market,” he said.
Mr. Aka-Eri added that Zuarungu has historical significance, having once served as the capital of the old Upper Region, which included today’s Upper West Region. “Zuarungu used to be the capital of Upper Region, which includes Upper West Region. For people to come and say we are going to Zuarungu market and they get there, it’s just a chance. It’s not the best,” he said.
Mr. Aka-Eri said the goal is to expand and modernize Zuarungu Market into a bigger facility that traders and customers can patronize confidently. “That’s why we wanted to expand it, make it a bigger market for people to be able to patronize. So it wasn’t something that we can choose between other areas,” the DCE stated.
The 24-Hour Market initiative under the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy is expected to boost trade, create jobs, and extend business hours for traders in the district once completed.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
