President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for the construction of a state-of-the-art 24-Hour Economy Market at Juapong in the North Tongu District, describing the project as a transformative initiative that will boost agricultural trade, reduce post-harvest losses and stimulate economic growth across the Volta Region.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on Thursday, the President said the market forms part of the government's flagship programme to construct modern 24-hour economy model markets in all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country.

According to him, the project is designed to provide farmers, traders and other economic actors with the infrastructure needed to support production, trade and enterprise while strengthening local value chains and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

President Mahama stated that the modern market would significantly reduce post-harvest losses by providing adequate storage and trading facilities, enabling farmers to secure better returns on their produce. He added that traders would also operate in a cleaner, safer and more efficient environment.

He noted that the project would have a multiplier effect on the local economy, benefiting transport operators, artisans, food processors and other service providers through increased commercial activity.

"The market will strengthen linkages across the local economy, ensuring that more value is created and retained within the community," the president stated.

He disclosed that all 18 districts in the Volta Region would benefit from the government's 24-Hour Economy Market initiative, with the Juapong project marking the beginning of the regional rollout.

President Mahama said the network of modern markets would connect producers directly to consumers, promote regional trade, strengthen agricultural value chains and reinforce the Volta Region's position as a major hub for agriculture, commerce and industrial development under the government's 24-hour economy agenda.

He further announced that although North Tongu is not a Metropolitan Assembly, Juapong has been selected to receive a Category Four market — the highest category under the programme, which is typically reserved for Metropolitan Assemblies because of their population size and commercial activities.

Providing details of the project, the president said the market would feature 100 lockable stores, 150 market sheds and stalls, 10 warehouses, a police post, a fire station, a clinic, a pharmacy, a daycare centre, modern washrooms and shower facilities, a Women's Development Bank branch, a butcher's shop and a cold storage facility.

He indicated that the warehouses would allow traders to safely store unsold goods overnight, thereby reducing losses, while the cold store would preserve meat and other perishable products.

The president added that the police post and fire station would ensure round-the-clock security and emergency response, while the clinic and pharmacy would provide immediate healthcare services to traders and patrons.

He also noted that the inclusion of a daycare centre would enable women and other traders with young children to conduct business with peace of mind, knowing their children would be cared for within the market.

President Mahama reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing the 24-Hour Economy initiative, stressing that investments in modern market infrastructure would drive inclusive economic growth, create jobs and improve livelihoods in communities across the country.