Ghana has begun construction of a modern 24-hour market in Juapong, a town in the Volta Region, as part of a broader strategy to expand local commerce, support small businesses and create new economic opportunities.

The project, launched under the government’s “24-Hour Economy” initiative, is designed to transform Juapong into a regional commercial hub by providing traders, farmers and entrepreneurs with modern infrastructure adapted to continuous economic activity.

The new market will go beyond traditional trading activities by integrating facilities aimed at strengthening local value chains. The project includes commercial spaces, storage facilities, cold rooms, processing areas and distribution infrastructure to improve the movement and preservation of goods, particularly agricultural products.

Authorities said the market will feature hundreds of retail spaces, warehouses, food areas, livestock facilities, healthcare services, security infrastructure and support facilities for traders and communities.

The initiative is part of Ghana’s wider plan to promote a 24-hour economy, a policy aimed at increasing productivity, creating jobs and encouraging businesses to operate beyond conventional working hours.

The government expects similar model markets to be developed across the country’s districts, with the objective of strengthening local economies and improving access to commercial infrastructure.

For the Volta Region, the Juapong project represents an opportunity to attract investment, support small and medium-sized enterprises and enhance the role of agriculture and trade in regional development.

Economic analysts say modern market infrastructure can help reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ incomes and create stronger connections between producers, processors and consumers.

With this project, Ghana is seeking to position local commerce as a key driver of economic growth while building more resilient and competitive regional markets.