During a press briefing on Monday, September 14, Parliament’s Local Government Committee ranking member Francis Asenso‑Boakye condemned the demolition of public and community infrastructure under the 24‑Hour Economy Market Programme. He said the moves raise serious questions about planning, consultation and value for money.
Asenso‑Boakye listed several examples, including the Asesewa Market in Upper Manya Krobo, an astroturf under construction at Mamponteng in Kwabre East, and the Nkenkaasu Market in Offinso North, all of which he said had been earmarked for demolition to make way for new markets. He also cited a community bank facility at Aboabo and a newly built school in Ahafo Ano South West that had reportedly been marked for demolition, with grading and foundation work already underway.
He added that a Magistrate Court in Nandom, the Enchi Market in the Western North Region, and the 70‑year‑old Tendamba Primary School in Wa had also been reported demolished. Other sites mentioned were Poyentanga, Agona East, Wenchi, Keta, Kasoa, Elubo and resistance from traders at Nungua, Kwabenya, Aiyinase, Ashaiman and Kokomba markets.
“These are not isolated concerns. Together, they point to a troubling pattern: existing markets, newly constructed facilities, schools, businesses, homes and other community assets are being displaced or demolished in the name of a programme whose local economic justification has not been sufficiently demonstrated,” Asenso‑Boakye said.
He called on the government to explain the economic justification for demolishing useful and, in some cases, recently constructed public assets at a time of severe fiscal constraints.
