Plans to establish a 24-hour economy market in the Ketu North Municipality are facing challenges over land size requirements, as officials struggle to identify a suitable location for the project.
A team led by Municipal Chief Executive Martin Amenaki, together with project consultants, has inspected three proposed sites, but all options so far fall short of the recommended land size needed for the development.
The Assembly initially proposed a six-acre parcel of land along a major road, which meets the project’s spatial requirements. However, community consultations introduced an alternative idea to redevelop the existing central market to improve accessibility and revitalise local commerce.
That option, however, has encountered setbacks. The old market site, measuring approximately 1.92 acres, was deemed inadequate, especially as the project requires at least three acres to accommodate key infrastructure such as parking, trading spaces, and auxiliary facilities. Ongoing construction and road reservations are also expected to further reduce the available space.
A second site at Dzeshime, though strategically located, was also found to be below requirements at about 1.98 acres.
According to project consultant Kwasi Aboagye of PPMC International, the proposed “Model Three” market design includes shops, a banking facility, a police post, a daycare centre, open trading areas, and a car park—features that demand adequate land.
He noted that while the ideal size ranges between two and three acres, slightly smaller sites could still be considered with design adjustments, depending on detailed layout plans yet to be submitted by the Assembly.
Rev. Amenaki indicated that if none of the alternative sites meet the requirements after further assessment, the Assembly may be compelled to revert to the original six-acre proposal.
The outcome of the site selection process will be critical in determining the pace and scope of the project, which is expected to boost economic activity and support the government’s broader 24-hour economy agenda.
