Executives of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Mankarigu Zone have protested the decision to relocate the proposed 24-hour economy market from Mankarigu to Daboya, describing the move as unfair and detrimental to the local economy.
At a press conference held on Tuesday, the party officials argued that relocating the market would significantly undermine revenue generation in the North Gonja District and further marginalise the people of Mankarigu and surrounding communities.
According to the executives, the Mankarigu market is historically the largest and most patronised trading centre in the district, contributing the highest internally generated funds (IGF) to the District Assembly. They noted that the market attracts traders from Burkina Faso, as well as the Northern, Upper East, North East and Savannah regions, and has been in operation since before Ghana gained independence in 1957.
The executives alleged that the decision to divert the market was initiated by the Regional Minister, acting as the District Chief Executive, despite land for the market’s expansion having already been secured and a consultant having submitted site coordinates to Accra for approval.
They further contended that Daboya has already benefited from several major development projects, including the Savannah College of Education, an Agenda 111 hospital, two senior high schools and a cattle ranch, making the proposed relocation unnecessary and unjust.
“We feel cheated, neglected and marginalised. Diverting the market will deny the people of Mankarigu and surrounding villages their economic birthright,” the executives stated.
The group has therefore called on the national leadership of the NDC to intervene and ensure that the 24-hour economy market remains in Mankarigu as originally planned. As of the time of filing this report, the party’s national leadership had not responded to the concerns raised.
By: Saeed Kagbal/newsalertgh.com
