The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has assured traders at the Tamale Aboabo Market that the government is committed to completing the long-standing uncompleted market complex to provide adequate trading spaces and improve commercial activities in the Northern Region.
He gave the assurance during a visit to the Aboabo Market on Monday, October 12, 2026, as part of his tour of ongoing development projects in the region. He was accompanied by the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Sayibu Alhassan Suhuyini, and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), among other officials.
During an engagement with the market leadership, Hon. Ayariga explained that the visit was to discuss the government’s intervention to complete the market complex and address concerns raised by traders regarding the future of the facility.
He recalled that he had visited the market with the President before the 2024 general election, during which a commitment was made to complete the uncompleted structure. He said the current engagement formed part of efforts to fulfil that promise and ensure that the facility served its intended purpose.
The Minister dismissed concerns among some traders that the government intended to displace them and demolish the existing structure. He clarified that the intention was to complete the building rather than demolish it, stressing that the project was expected to provide additional stores and create more opportunities for trading.
Hon. Ayariga noted that completing the market complex would help improve trading conditions, expand access to commercial space and contribute to the growth of economic activities in Tamale and the wider Northern Region.
He also listened to concerns presented by the market leadership and assured the traders that their issues would be given the necessary attention.The engagement provided an opportunity for the government delegation to interact directly with the traders, clarify misconceptions about the project and discuss matters affecting their businesses.
The Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Sayibu Alhassan Suhuyini, also briefed the market leadership on the proposed ring-road network for Tamale. He explained how the first, second and third ring roads were expected to improve road connectivity, ease movement within the metropolis and facilitate access between different parts of the city.
He indicated that the development of the ring roads would contribute to addressing transportation challenges and support the movement of people and goods, including traders who depend on an efficient road network to transport their merchandise.
The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, expressed appreciation to the traditional authorities and market leadership for the warm reception accorded the delegation. He urged the traders to cooperate with the government and relevant authorities to facilitate the completion of the market complex.
Hon. Ali Adolf John emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government, traditional authorities, market leaders and traders in addressing challenges associated with development projects. He encouraged the market community to continue engaging constructively with the authorities to ensure that their concerns were considered as work progressed.
Following the engagement at the Aboabo Market, the delegation inspected other ongoing projects within the market area to assess their status and progress.
The team also visited the Tamale Central Market, where it inspected ongoing development works as part of efforts to monitor market infrastructure projects and identify issues requiring attention.
The visits formed part of the Minister’s engagement with local authorities and stakeholders on development projects in the Northern Region, with particular attention to market infrastructure, road connectivity and the concerns of traders.
The proposed completion of the Aboabo Market complex is expected to provide additional trading facilities when completed, while improvements to the road network are intended to enhance accessibility and facilitate commercial activities across the Tamale metropolis.