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ZABZUGU N/R — The morning sun had barely risen when a small convoy of government vehicles rolled into Zabzugu township, stirring curiosity among market women and passersby. Word spread quickly: something significant was happening — and this time, it centered on the heart of Zabzugu District’s 24-hour economy — yam. In a historic act of foresight and community spirit, the Regent of the Yelzoli Traditional Area, Alhaji Muhammad Umar, has released four acres of land for the construction of a 24-hour yam market in Zabzugu. The project, scheduled to commence in December 2025, is expected to transform the district into a major hub for yam trade in Northern Ghana. A delegation from Accra, led by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. George Lakoba Tanie, visited the site to inspect the land and engage with community leaders. The team included the District Health Insurance Manager, Mr. Abdul-Rahman Zakaria, the District NADMO Director, Mr. Issahaku Osma, the Assistant Coordinating Director, and the District Engineer. “This is not just a market — it’s a symbol of the new Zabzugu we want to build,” said the DCE after the inspection. “The 24-hour yam market will boost our local economy, create jobs for the youth, and attract traders from across Ghana and beyond. We are deeply grateful to the Regent for his leadership and generosity.” At the Yelzoli Palace, the Regent, flanked by elders and youth leaders, shared the inspiration behind his decision. “Zabzugu lives on yam,” he said with a smile. “Our people till the soil day and night. It is time we gave yam trading the structure and dignity it deserves. This land is for the people — for the women, the farmers, and the future of this land.” Across the existing market, traders shared the same enthusiasm. Alhaji Musah Zarijaba, a longtime yam seller, expressed his delight. “We’ve been waiting for this kind of news,” he said, stacking his yams. “Sometimes we sell into the night by torchlight. A proper 24-hour yam market with lights and space will change our lives. We’ll be able to trade even when the sun goes down.” Though the Member of Parliament for Zabzugu could not attend the event due to parliamentary duties in Accra, officials said he remains fully supportive of the project. “The MP has been briefed and continues to stand firmly behind every initiative that drives development in Zabzugu,” the DCE affirmed. Earlier in the day, the DCE and his team also inspected the ongoing Yendi–Tatale road project to assess progress. Accompanied by the NHIS Manager and NADMO Director, the DCE expressed dissatisfaction with the contractor’s performance, describing both the pace and quality of work as “unacceptable.” “Our roads must reflect the aspirations of our people,” he said firmly. “If Zabzugu is to host a 24-hour yam market that serves the entire northern corridor, then our infrastructure must meet that standard.” As dusk settled over Zabzugu, the site earmarked for the market lay quiet — four acres of promise, soon to echo with the voices of traders, the hum of vehicles, and the rhythmic thud of yams being loaded onto trucks bound for Accra and beyond. For a district whose lifeblood is yam, the 24-hour economy yam market represents more than development — it stands as a statement of identity, resilience, and belief in a brighter tomorrow. By: Issifu Alidu Laa-Bandow//ZaaNewsroom
