The government has selected an investor to help revive Volta Star Textiles Limited at Juapong in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, President John Dramani Mahama has said.

He said the selected investor would soon visit the factory to begin discussions, while arrangements were also underway for the government of Benin to supply cotton to support production.

Speaking at Juapong on Thursday [July 16, 2026[, where he cut the sod for the construction of a 24-hour economy market as part of a tour of the Volta Region, President Mahama said the market formed part of a nationwide programme under which similar facilities would be built in all 261 districts, including the 18 districts in the Volta Region.

The President said the government had completed the process of appointing a transaction advisor, inviting bids from investors and selecting a preferred investor for the textile factory.

"I wish to inform Togbe and the workers of Volta Star Textiles Limited that very soon the transaction advisor will bring the strategic investor to visit the factory and start the design for modernisation," he said.

President Mahama said discussions were also far advanced for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Ghana and the Government of Benin to supply cotton to the factory.

"Arrangements are being made to sign a memorandum of understanding with the government of Benin to supply cotton for the factory," he said.

He said Volta Star Textiles had played a major role in the economic development of Juapong and expressed the government's resolve to restore the factory to full operation.

"No discussion about Juapong can be complete without recognising the historic contribution of Volta Star Textiles Limited, which for many years provided employment and shaped the community's economic identity. Government is determined to restore the legacy of Volta Star Textiles Limited through strategic partnerships and modernisation," he said.

On the 24-hour economy market project, President Mahama said Juapong had been approved for a Category 4 market although it was not a metropolitan assembly because of its population and commercial importance.

He said the market would comprise 100 lockable stores, 150 sheds and stalls, 10 warehouses, a police post, a fire station, a clinic, a pharmacy, a daycare centre, a branch of the Women's Development Bank, a butcher shop with cold storage, a restaurant with 10 food courts, a supermarket and an open trading area for traders without stalls.

The President said traders who lost their trading spaces following the demolition of the old market would receive priority in the allocation of stalls and lockable stores after the project was completed.

He added that the Member of Parliament for North Tongu had acquired 100 deep freezers for distribution to traders affected by the project.

"I want to thank our mothers and daughters who were affected by the dislocation and assure them that when the market is finished, they will be given priority in the acquisition of stalls and lockable shops," he said.

Touching on the delayed bridge project near Juapong, President Mahama said a delegation led by the Minister for Roads and Highways, together with the area's traditional leader, had recently concluded discussions in Japan.

He explained that a new contractor was being procured after the previous contractor withdrew because of delays.

"We had to choose a new contractor because the previous one pulled out after delays. I am assured that before the end of the year, the process will be completed and the contractor will begin work," he said.

On compensation for victims of the Akosombo and Kpong dam spillage, President Mahama said verification and assessment of claims were nearing completion.

He said provision had been made in this year's budget to begin compensation payments, with additional funds to be allocated next year if required.

"I wish to assure all affected people that government will finalise the process fairly, transparently, and responsibly," he said.

President Mahama also dismissed claims that development projects in the Volta Region were linked to the region's voting pattern.

"We reject the notion that any part of Ghana should be taken for granted or left behind because of its electoral choices. Our mandate is to govern the country for every Ghanaian," he said.