Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has demanded the immediate completion of the Takoradi Market Circle, accusing the NDC government of abandoning the project despite it being 82 percent complete under the previous administration.
Contributing to a statement on the floor of parliament Hon. Kobby Darko-Mensah said the Market Circle has been under construction for some time and traders displaced by the stalled work have suffered “severe economic hardship over this long period.”
“I’m also using this opportunity to urge and ask the president that without fail, he should come to Takoradi and come and complete the market circle because all the agreements have been done and we know that when he puts in a little effort the rest of the eighteen percent that is left can be completed,” he stated.
The MP noted that President John Dramani Mahama had promised to ensure the project’s completion, but “under the Nana Addo we did about eighty-two percent of the work. So far the president has not put in any extra money to get this project completed.”
He called on fellow MPs to support the push: “I believe that all members of parliament should be with Takoradi as we support our honorable chief chief whip for flood victims espercially market traders, you should also support the completion of the Takoradi market completion immediately because it’s one of the iconic markets this country has ever had over the long period of time and it’s in the Harbour city.”
*Project background*
The €48 million Takoradi Market Circle redevelopment was launched in August 2020 when former President Nana Akufo-Addo cut the sod for construction. It is being financed through an export credit facility from Deutsche Bank S.p.A of Italy, with export credit guarantee support from SACE, the Italian export guarantee agency. Messrs Contracta Costruzioni Italia SLR is the contractor.
By December 2024, the project had reached approximately 82 percent completion and was progressing steadily.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced during an inspection visit to the site on November 8 that work on the stalled redevelopment will resume early in 2026, bringing renewed hope to thousands of displaced traders in the Western Region.
Takoradi MP also called for 50/50 percentage disbursment of thd GHC300M contigency funds to all districts in the country to ensure equality and equity in it application
