Nkoranza 24-hour economy market project 5% complete as minister threatens contract termination

The government’s ambitious vision of a 24-hour economy has hit a rocky patch in the Bono East Region, as the Nkoranza Municipal Assembly’s flagship modern market hub is severely behind schedule. During a monitoring visit to the project site, Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi, expressed outrage upon discovering that the contractor had completed just 5% of the work—a far cry from the 25% expected based on the current contract duration. The project, which falls under the government’s broader national agenda to establish round-the-clock commercial hubs across all 261 districts in Ghana, is designed to be a gamechanger for the local economy. It promises to move beyond traditional periodic trading by offering 24-hour banking services, cold storage units, warehouses, clinics, pharmacies, day-care centers, and dedicated police and fire service posts for enhanced security.

However, the Minister’s visit painted a picture of stagnation, with minimal visible progress on the grounds. “I am not happy at all with what I am seeing,” an infuriated Mr. Owusu Antwi told the media after his inspection. “This is the government’s most important policy; it cannot afford to fail. The contractor has done just 5% of work against an expected 25% per the contract duration. It is unacceptable. ” The Regional Minister did not mince words regarding the future of the contract. He issued a stern ultimatum, warning that failure to demonstrate significant improvements by his next scheduled visit would result in immediate termination of the contract. “I am giving the contractor a strict deadline. If I don’t see significant changes by my next visit, I will be forced to terminate this contract. Enough is enough. The 24-hour economy agenda is a policy we are committed to delivering for the…