MP Seeks Alternative Site For Mankranso Market
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahafo Ano South West Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Elvis Osei Mensah Dapaah, has called for calm and urgent consultations over plans to establish a 24-hour economy market at Mankranso, the district capital.
Mr. Dapaah, popularly known as “Okumkom,” is advocating for an alternative site for the proposed market, arguing that the project should not affect existing educational and health infrastructure.
His concerns follow a viral video alleging that the Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly intends to demolish an existing classroom block at Mankranso to make way for the market.
In a statement, the MP said he supports initiatives to promote local commerce and empower market women but stressed that development should not be pursued at the expense of educational facilities.
“As your parliamentary representative, my oath is to serve the public good, protect public resources, and advocate for the progress of our people. While I strongly advocate for local commerce and the empowerment of our market women, development must never come at the cost of erasing educational infrastructure,” he said.
Mr. Dapaah said he remained committed to protecting the educational legacy of the constituency and expressed concern about the proposed location of the market, particularly its reported proximity to the District Hospital.
He noted that locating a busy market close to a hospital could pose challenges to healthcare delivery, while the removal of a completed classroom block could negatively affect access to education.
“I remain unyielding in my commitment to defending the educational legacy of Ahafo Ano South West,” he stated.
He appealed to traditional authorities, local leaders, residents and state institutions to engage in consultations and identify a suitable alternative location for the project.
“Let us find suitable alternative land for our market without destroying what has already been built for our children,” he added.
DCE Responds
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ahafo Ano South West, Abubakar Sadik, has dismissed claims that the Assembly plans to demolish the classroom block to construct the 24-hour economy market.
According to the DCE, the classroom block was constructed in 2022 but has remained unused.
He insisted that the school building would not be demolished for the market project, stressing that the two projects were separate.
However, the DCE’s statement did not directly address concerns about the proposed siting of the market near the classroom block and the District Hospital.
The development has therefore triggered calls for further engagement among the Assembly, the MP, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to resolve the concerns surrounding the project.
