The Aflao Traditional Council is urging government to move from assurances to implementation on the long-delayed Aflao Modern Market project, warning that the stalled initiative is slowing down economic activity in the border town.
The appeal was made during a high-level engagement with a government delegation that included the Volta Regional Minister, the area Member of Parliament, the Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and members of the Council of State.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Senior Divisional Chief Torgbi Nii Kpambi Vedzesu V said the Traditional Council had completed all necessary processes, including land acquisition arrangements, yet physical work on the project had not begun.
He expressed concern that initial momentum around the project appeared to have slowed following the introduction of the government’s broader 24-hour economy market agenda, leaving the Aflao facility in limbo.
According to him, the Regional Minister has requested documentation from families who released land for the project to facilitate formal commencement procedures, a step the Council hopes will finally unlock progress.
Despite the delays, the Council remains optimistic that renewed assurances from government will translate into immediate action.
The chiefs stressed that Aflao’s status as a major border hub between Ghana and Togo makes the project critical for boosting trade, improving sanitation, and creating jobs for local residents.
They argue that a modern market would not only streamline commercial activity but also strengthen cross-border trade flows and enhance revenue generation for the municipality.
The project, first highlighted during a 2025 announcement linked to a Chinese grant under the Blekusu-Agavedzi Sea Defence Project Phase Two Sod Cutting, is expected to significantly expand trading infrastructure in the Ketu South Municipality once completed.
For now, however, traditional leaders say the focus is on ensuring that commitments already made are translated into visible progress on the ground.
