Takoradi MP Presses President Mahama to Complete €48M Market Circle Redevelopment Project

The Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to expedite the completion of the long-delayed Takoradi Market Circle redevelopment project, arguing that the facility is vital to restoring economic activity in the Western Regional capital.
Contributing to a statement on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Darko-Mensah said the project was 82 percent complete when the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration left office, but has since stalled, leaving thousands of traders displaced and grappling with severe economic hardship.
He appealed directly to President Mahama to honour his commitment to complete the project, stressing that only a small portion of the work remains.
“I am using this opportunity to urge the President to come to Takoradi and complete the Market Circle. All the agreements have been concluded and with a little effort, the remaining 18 percent can be completed,” he said.
The former Western Regional Minister maintained that the Akufo-Addo administration had substantially advanced the redevelopment and questioned the lack of progress since the change of government.
“Under President Nana Akufo-Addo, we completed about 82 percent of the work. So far, the President has not put in any extra money to get this project completed,” he stated.
Mr. Darko-Mensah called on Members of Parliament across the political divide to support the completion of what he described as one of Ghana’s most iconic market infrastructure projects, noting that traders had endured years of disruption due to the prolonged construction.
He argued that completing the project would provide much-needed relief to traders and restore Takoradi’s status as a major commercial hub.
The Takoradi MP also used the opportunity to advocate for an equitable distribution of the GH¢300 million contingency fund announced by the government in response to the recent floods.
He proposed that the fund be shared equally among all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), saying a 50-50 formula would promote fairness and ensure every district has adequate resources to respond to emergencies.
Background
The €48 million Takoradi Market Circle redevelopment project was launched in August 2020 after former President Nana Akufo-Addo cut the sod for construction. The project is being financed through an export credit facility from Deutsche Bank S.p.A. of Italy, backed by SACE, Italy’s export credit agency, with Contracta Costruzioni Italia SLR serving as the contractor.
Designed to transform one of Ghana’s busiest trading centres into a modern commercial hub, the project includes new market stalls, improved road networks, parking facilities, sanitation infrastructure and enhanced security systems.
By December 2024, construction had reached approximately 82 percent completion. However, work later slowed, forcing thousands of traders to continue operating from temporary locations.
During an inspection of the site, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced that work on the stalled project would resume in early 2026, raising hopes among traders and residents. Nevertheless, Mr. Darko-Mensah’s latest appeal underscores growing concerns over the continued delay and its impact on livelihoods in the harbour city.