President Mahama Breaks Ground for Bimbilla 24-Hour Model Market | Discuss Ghana

As part of his "Resetting Ghana" tour of the Northern Region, President John Dramani Mahama performed the sod-cutting ceremony for a new 24-hour model market in Bimbilla on Saturday, April 18, 2026. This project is a cornerstone of the administration’s strategy to industrialize the North and formalize the burgeoning "24-Hour Economy."

The Bimbilla Model Market is designed to be more than just a traditional trading post. It is envisioned as a modern commercial hub equipped with specialized infrastructure to support non-stop economic activity, specifically targeting the agricultural and cross-border trade that defines the Nanumba North Municipality.

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Key Features of the Bimbilla Model Market

The President outlined several "modern" features that distinguish this project from existing markets:

24-Hour Infrastructure: The market will feature advanced solar-powered street lighting and a dedicated security post to ensure safety for traders working night shifts.

Cold Storage Facilities: To support Bimbilla’s role as a yam and cereal hub, the market will include industrial-grade cold storage and dry warehouses to reduce post-harvest losses.

On-Site Services: The model includes a clinic, a fire station, and a crèche (daycare) to support nursing mothers who trade in the facility.

Digital Integration: A dedicated zone for mobile money and banking services to facilitate secure, cashless transactions for bulk buyers.

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Strategic Impact on the Local Economy

President Mahama emphasized that Bimbilla was chosen due to its strategic position as a gateway between the Northern and Oti Regions:

Job Creation: The construction phase alone is expected to employ over 500 local artisans, while the completed market will provide organized stalls for over 2,000 traders.

Boosting "The Big Push": The project is funded under the "Big Push" infrastructure initiative, which aims to complete 50 major commercial projects across the country by 2027.

Cross-Border Trade: By modernizing the Bimbilla hub, the government aims to capture more trade volume from neighboring Togo, positioning the town as a major sub-regional logistics center.

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Progress Tracker: 24-Hour Economy Projects (Northern Region)

Project	Location	Status	Expected Completion
Bimbilla Model Market	Bimbilla	Sod-Cutting Done	July 2027
Tamale Night Logistics Hub	Tamale	Under Construction	December 2026
Yendi Shea Processing Plant	Yendi	Operational	N/A
Savelugu Rice Complex	Savelugu	Modernization Phase	April 2027