The Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has challenged the government to make the completion of the stalled Takoradi Market Circle redevelopment project a priority in the 2027 national budget, expressing frustration over what he describes as two years of inactivity.
Mr Darko-Mensah, a former Western Regional Minister, raised the concern in Parliament on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, questioning why construction works on the major commercial infrastructure project had not resumed since the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government assumed office in January 2025.
He maintained that the project had reached approximately 80 per cent completion under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration between 2020 and 2024, but accused the current government of failing to make any further progress over the past two years.
According to the Takoradi MP, the continued delay is a source of concern, particularly given the project’s importance to traders, businesses and residents who depend on the market for their economic activities.
He argued that the government must demonstrate its commitment to completing inherited development projects by making the necessary financial provisions in the forthcoming 2027 budget.
Mr Darko-Mensah also called for greater consultation with Members of Parliament during the preparation of national budgets, arguing that constituency representatives must have adequate opportunities to communicate the development priorities and concerns of their constituents.
“Most of the time when these budgets are being prepared, MPs who represent the people are usually not consulted fully,” he told Parliament.
He further expressed the view that the government had sufficient financial capacity to address outstanding priority projects, insisting that the Takoradi Market Circle redevelopment should receive the attention it deserves.
The MP said he expect the project to be captured in the next budget, with the objective of completing the remaining works within 2027.
“We strongly believe that the Market Circle issue should be brought on board so it can be completed in the next one year for the good people of this country, because at least 80 per cent of the project was done,” he stated.
The Takoradi MP expressed particular dissatisfaction with the absence of progress on the project in 2025 and 2026, arguing that the government had yet to demonstrate any meaningful commitment to its continuation.
“For two years, zero per cent was done in 2025, and another zero per cent has been done in 2026. We want to be sure that in 2027, at least some work will be done on the Market Circle for Takoradi,” he said.
He subsequently issued a warning that he could be compelled to boycott the government’s budget if the project continues to be neglected.
“Otherwise, we’ll be forced to boycott it,” Mr Darko-Mensah cautioned.
His remarks signal growing pressure on the government to provide clarity on the future of the project and outline concrete plans for its completion.
Responding to the concerns raised by the Takoradi MP, Majority Leader James Agalga assured Parliament that the Market Circle project is legitimate and would be completed.
The assurance followed Mr Darko-Mensah’s appeal for the government to prioritise the project and make the necessary budgetary allocations to facilitate the resumption of construction.
However, the MP is looking beyond assurances, expressing the expectation that the government’s commitment will be reflected in the Finance Minister’s upcoming budget presentation.
The Takoradi Market Circle is one of the major commercial hubs in the Western Region, serving thousands of traders, consumers and businesses within Takoradi and neighbouring communities.
The redevelopment initiative is expected to modernise the market’s infrastructure, improve trading conditions and provide a more organised commercial environment for businesses operating in the area.
Its completion is therefore considered important to the economic activities of Takoradi, particularly for traders and other businesses whose livelihoods depend on the market.
The prolonged delay has, however, raised questions about the government’s plans for the remaining construction works, the availability of funding and the timeline for completing the project.
With the 2027 national budget expected to provide an opportunity for the government to outline its development priorities, attention will be on whether the Market Circle project will receive the necessary financial commitment.
For Mr Darko-Mensah, the priority is to ensure that the project does not remain abandoned and that the significant progress reportedly achieved under the previous administration is not lost.
He is consequently urging the government to translate the Majority Leader’s assurance into concrete action by making the necessary provisions for the project’s completion in 2027.
By 1960news.com
