A 24-hour International Livestock Market has been inaugurated at Volivo in the Shai-Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region, aimed at transforming livestock trading, creating jobs, and strengthening Ghana’s agricultural value chain.
The facility was provided by the Lower-Volta Association of Small-Scale Miners and Farmers and comprises a production and processing zone, logistics facilities, and a dedicated trade centre.
Conceived as a fully integrated agribusiness hub, the market is expected to boost livestock production, expand regional and cross-border trade, and generate sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for youth and women.
When fully operational, the market is projected to create over 1,600 direct and indirect jobs for farmers, traders, transporters, processors, and other allied service providers.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Godwin Ogah Awudi, project lead and former Assemblyman for the Kotoko Electoral Area, said the initiative was designed to address long-standing challenges within Ghana’s livestock sector, including fragmented markets, limited value addition, and post-harvest losses.
He added that Volivo’s strategic location along the Lower Volta corridor positions the market as a key trading hub, linking southern Ghana to the northern regions and neighbouring countries.
“ This initiative goes beyond buying and selling animals. It is about building a complete value chain that supports production, processing, trade, and sustainability,” he said and added that “ By operating 24 hours, the market ensures continuous trade and reduces losses caused by delays. ”
The market facility is structured around several thematic areas to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
He said the Trade Livestock24 provides organised spaces for cattle, sheep, goats, and local poultry trading, while Rear Livestock 24 promotes intensive ranching to guarantee a steady supply and improve animal health.
Mr. Awudi noted that environmental sustainability features prominently, whereby Aquatic Weed Harvest24 converts aquatic weeds from the Lower Volta into affordable livestock feed while improving water flow and ecosystem health.
“Aquaculture24 supports small-holder cage culture for tilapia, catfish, and heterotis, boosting fish production and local livelihoods,” he said.
He explained that Make-Livestock & Fish24 included a modern slaughterhouse and processing facility for deboning, sausage production, and small-scale fish feed manufacturing.
“Grow24 promotes small-scale irrigation farming of rice, maize, cassava, plantain, and soya beans, while Build24 encourages environmentally responsible sand dredging to support infrastructure,” he said.
Chief Alhaji Iddrisu Mohammed Bingle, National President of the National Council of Fulani Chiefs, hailed the project as a practical solution to unemployment in peri-urban communities.
“ When fully operational, this initiative will provide hundreds of jobs and contribute meaningfully to local economic growth,” he said.
Mrs. Linda Obenewaa Ocloo the Member of Parliament for Shai-Osudoku and Minister for Greater Accra Region, said the market will improve access to buyers, stabilise prices, create jobs, and strengthen food security.
She praised the association for its focus on structured facilities, small-holder ranching, and local poultry production.
” The initiative aligns with government efforts to modernise agriculture and support farmer-led development,” she indicated.
The project also integrates tourism and transport through Show24, which promotes eco-tourism and aqua-tourism, and Connect24, linking Shai-Osudoku to North Tongu via inland waterways.
Youth and women empowerment is addressed under Aspire24, while Zero Waste/Recycling24 promotes Black Soldier Fly larvae farming to convert organic waste into animal feed.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the Volivo International Livestock Market will serve as a model for integrated agribusiness development, significantly contributing to food security, rural development, and regional economic integration.
The launch ceremony attracted government officials, traditional leaders, business executives, and investors from Ghana and the West African sub-region.
Credit: GNA
Source:
oyerepafmonline.com