The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, has performed a historic sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a modern market at Tanzui in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The project is a flagship component of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy.
Speaking to a gathered crowd of community leaders, youth, and market women, Hon. Akamugri emphasized that the next NDC administration is committed to “resetting Ghana” through innovative, original policies rather than the recycled ideas he claims have characterized the current regime.
Hon. Akamugri noted that the Tanzui market project is not a standalone initiative but a critical piece of the broader 24-hour economy strategy. “Resetting Ghana means we must introduce new policies that truly serve the people. One of our cardinal policies is the 24-hour market, which is embedded in the 24-hour economy dream. President John Dramani Mahama is not a leader who promises and then reneges; when he promises, he follows through with action.”
In a spirited address, the Regional Minister lauded the former President’s intellectual depth, contrasting it with what he termed “policy stealing” by the current NPP administration. “His Excellency John Dramani Mahama is a visionary and a great thinker. He is not the type of leader who plagiarizes the policies of previous leaders, rebrands them, and calls them his own,” Akamugri stated. He cited several examples to support his claim: He argued that the Free Senior High School concept was pioneered by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, not the NPP. He noted that factories like the Pwalugu Tomato Factory and Bolgatanga Meat Factory existed long before the “One District, One Factory” (1D1F) slogan. He credited the late Jerry John Rawlings for piloting health insurance schemes in Nkoranza long before the current national rollout. “I challenge them to show me any leader in this country’s history who has espoused a 24-hour economy or a 24-hour market before President John Mahama,” he added.
The Minister explained that the 24-hour market is a Government-Private Partnership (GPP) designed to solve the country’s youth unemployment crisis. The infrastructure will not just house traders but will include: Police Posts to ensure 24-hour security for traders and mobile money (Momo) vendors. Fire Service Stations to mitigate market fires. Clinics to provide immediate healthcare for citizens.
He highlighted that these facilities would require the recruitment of more police officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers, thereby creating sustainable public sector jobs.
Hon. Akamugri expressed profound gratitude to the community leaders and landowners of Tanzui for donating the land for free. However, he issued a stern plea to residents regarding the supply of raw materials like gravel and sand. “Contractors often struggle because landowners demand exorbitant prices, sometimes quoting in the equivalent of dollars for gravel and sand. If a contractor has to go to the Northern Region to buy gravel, the project will be delayed,” the Minister warned. He urged the people to emulate the generosity of the original landowners to ensure the project is completed on schedule for the benefit of Bolgatanga, Tongo, and surrounding areas. “John Mahama is thinking outside the box to address the youth unemployment ‘time bomb.’ Let us support him to realize this objective,” he concluded.
