The long-anticipated redevelopment of the Agartha 24-Hour Market in Koforidua has officially commenced, with the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly relocating traders from the market enclave to a temporary trading site to allow construction works to begin.
The relocation exercise marks a significant milestone in efforts by the Municipal Assembly to modernize one of the municipality’s busiest commercial centers and improve trading conditions for hundreds of traders who depend on the market for their livelihoods.
Officials of the Assembly supervised the first phase of the relocation process, ensuring that traders were guided to designate temporary stalls and spaces prepared to accommodate business activities throughout the construction period.
The exercise forms part of a broader urban renewal agenda aimed at transforming key public infrastructure within the municipality.
The Agartha 24-Hour Market has for years served as a major commercial hub, attracting traders and customers from Koforidua and surrounding communities; however, concerns have frequently been raised about congestion, inadequate sanitation facilities, poor drainage systems, insufficient trading space, and deteriorating structures within the market.
Municipal authorities believe the redevelopment project will address these longstanding challenges by providing a modern market facility equipped with improved amenities, enhanced security features, better sanitation infrastructure, and a more organized trading environment.
Speaking with the paper during the relocation exercise, some traders expressed mixed feelings about the temporary move, whilst many welcomed the reconstruction project and acknowledged its potential benefits, others voiced concerns about possible disruptions to their businesses and the impact on daily sales during the transition period.
A vegetable trader who has operated at the market for several years said she supports the redevelopment initiative, but hopes the construction works would be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
“We understand that development comes with temporary inconvenience. Our main concern is that the project should not delay because our businesses depend on regular customer traffic,” she stated.
Another trader dealing in provisions appealed to the Assembly to ensure adequate security and accessibility at the temporary site to encourage customers to continue patronizing their businesses.
Despite the concerns, several traders expressed optimism that the new market would create a more attractive business environment capable of drawing increased patronage and boosting economic activities in the municipality.
Residents and market users have also welcomed the project, noting that the existing market infrastructure had become inadequate in meeting the growing commercial demands of the rapidly expanding municipality.
They believe a modernized market will not only improve trading activities, but also contribute to enhancing the image of Koforidua as a leading commercial destination in the Eastern Region.
The redevelopment project is expected to generate employment opportunities during the construction phase while stimulating local economic growth upon completion. Market infrastructure development remains a critical component of Ghana’s local economic development strategy, as markets serve as important centers for commerce, revenue generation, and job creation.
Municipal authorities have assured traders that measures are being put in place to minimize disruptions and ensure that commercial activities continue smoothly at the temporary site as they appealed to the public and traders to cooperate with project contractors and Assembly officials throughout the construction period.
When completed, the reconstructed Agartha 24-Hour Market is expected to provide a safer, cleaner, and more efficient trading environment, reflecting the Assembly’s commitment to improving public infrastructure and supporting the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises within the New Juaben South Municipality.
The project is widely regarded as a major step toward strengthening the local economy and enhancing the overall development of Koforidua and its surrounding communities.
For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z
