Adentan Market Project Breaks Ground: New 24-Hour Hub to Transform Local Commerce

The Adentan Municipal Assembly has taken a decisive step towards modernising local commerce by formally handing over construction contracts for an ambitious 24-Hour Economy Model Market and Lorry Station. The project marks a significant investment in infrastructure aimed at boosting economic activity and improving public services in the Greater Accra municipality.

Double A Imperial Construction and Engineering Limited has been contracted to execute the development, with an anticipated completion timeline of 30 months. The scope of work extends far beyond a traditional market, incorporating multiple commercial, civic, and social facilities designed to create a self-contained economic hub.

What the Market Will Include

The facility will feature 132 lockable shops and 132 open market sheds, alongside 160 open pavement stalls to accommodate various trading activities. A dedicated lorry terminal with additional space for large vehicles addresses transport logistics, a critical need in urban commercial centres.

Beyond retail, the complex integrates essential services: a six-bed clinic with pharmacy, Police and Fire Service posts complete with hydrant systems, and an Environmental Protection Authority office. Administrative facilities include market management offices and an information centre.

Complementary amenities include 24 washroom and toilet units, 10 warehouses, restaurants, saloons and barbering shops. A six-bed hostel and accessible guestrooms support travellers and traders. The facility also provides a women's bank, mall and supermarket space, a 40-pupil crèche, and a refuse disposal site—comprehensive infrastructure rarely seen in market developments across Ghana.

Implementation and Quality Assurance

The handover ceremony brought together key stakeholders: the Adentan Municipal Assembly as client, Architect and Engineer Service Limited as consultant, and the contractor. Site inspection assessed underground utility lines and boundary considerations to prevent future complications.

Architect and Engineer Service Limited's technical officer, Ms Gifty Seidu, emphasised the importance of channelling all project communications through the consultant. This protocol ensures proper management of variations and cost adjustments, preventing technical breaches that commonly derail infrastructure projects in Ghana.

Municipal Chief Executive Ella Christine Esinam Nongo pledged the assembly's commitment to project completion while urging the contractor to maintain design specifications and accelerate work. She described the initiative as a cornerstone of Adentan's developmental agenda under the broader 24-hour economy framework.

Why This Matters for Ghana

Ghana's informal economy, particularly in trading and transport, operates largely without modern infrastructure. This Adentan project exemplifies how integrated market facilities can formalise commerce, improve regulatory compliance, and create safer working environments. The inclusion of health clinics, fire safety, and waste management addresses real gaps in traditional market settings.

The 24-hour economy model aligns with national development objectives. By creating a facility designed for extended operations, Adentan can support traders working across irregular hours whilst generating consistent revenue for the assembly through shop rentals and service fees.

For residents, the facility promises improved market sanitation, reduced congestion on local roads (through dedicated lorry facilities), and enhanced social services. The disability-friendly design reflects modern inclusive standards. Success here could establish a template for similar projects in other Ghanaian municipalities seeking to upgrade informal trading spaces.

Project completion within 30 months will determine whether this model becomes replicable. Close oversight by the consultant and assembly commitment will be crucial to ensuring value for money and timely delivery.