The next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will build a modern market comparable to the Grand Marché de Lomé, commonly known as “Assigamé” (Central Market) at Aflao, Ketu South.
Mr. John Dramani Mahama, the Presidential Candidate of the party who made the promise at Aflao during his recent campaign tour of the Volta Region said such a modern commercial infrastructure was important to promote the economic empowerment of the people.
The building would especially benefit the women in the area and by extension in the Volta Region and the country and would help boost international trade in the sub-region.
Mr. Mahama said: “We want to expand trade and improve the incomes of our people. And so, in 2020, in our manifesto, we said we would build a modern market in Ketu South so that we would have our own Assigamé here.
“So that we have Lomé (Togo) Assigamé, we have Ketu South Assigamé. So that it will improve the exchange of goods and services between us and our neighbouring countries.
“We put it in our manifesto in 2020. We’re going to put it in the manifesto again in 2024. And God being gracious, and I know we’re going to win the elections. If NDC comes into office, we will build an Assigamé, a modern Assigamé.”
Assigamé, one of the 15 largest markets in West Africa and which ranks second after the Dantokpa Market in Benin, considered the largest market in the sub-region, is located near the Autonomous Port of Lomé and attracts merchants and traders from countries including Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso.
Business people go there to do business in fabrics, shoes, pearls, necklaces, watches, fruits and vegetables, for instance.
Mr. Mahama also responded to requests by Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South to see to road and sports infrastructural needs of the area, as well as construct a vocational training centre to equip the teaming youth with employable skills, by pledging his commitment to address them.
On Mr. Bright Kumordzie, Ketu South Constituency Chairman of the NDC made as request for the approval of one more border crossing point to facilitate free movement of border residents, most of whose livelihood depend on crossing the border daily.
Mr. Mahama promised to attempt holding talks with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé for a possible way out upon NDC’s return to power.
Mr. Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu urged all not to harbour any fears but to go out on the day of the elections and vote.
“On December 7, don’t be afraid, come rain, come shine, you’re going to vote and it’s going to be counted. Vote for JM and the NDC, don’t vote for the New Patriotic Party,” Mr. Agbodza said.
GNA
