Why Awutu chiefs 'snubbed' 24-Hour Economy Market sod-cutting

Traditional leaders of the Awutu Traditional Council boycotted a planned sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a 24-Hour Economy Market in the Awutu Senya East Municipality on August 12, 2026, accusing the Municipal Assembly of disregarding their authority on stool lands.

Addressing the press on August 14, 2026, the Boundary Chief of the Awutu Traditional Council, Nai Kwabena Atopi, also threatened to withhold land for future government projects unless proper consultation is carried out before stool lands are acquired or earmarked for development.

The council accused the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Seth Sabah Serwonoo-Banini, and the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor, of failing to consult the traditional authorities before a portion of land around the Kasoa New Market was earmarked for the proposed 24-Hour Economy market.

According to the council, it decided to boycott the ceremony to register its displeasure and make clear that the land had not been released by the traditional authorities for the project.

He said the traditional authorities were initially informed that the development formed part of the government's resetting agenda but were not subsequently consulted on the project.

“The stores around the Kasoa interchange where several traders were evicted are being constructed by the MCE and a private developer. He lied to us that it was part of the government’s resetting agenda. As traditional leaders we were never aware of that project. The MP also came to the palace and we queried her; they apologised and promised to do the needful,” Nai Kwabena Atopi said.

He said the traditional authorities were equally unhappy about plans to use land around the New Market area for the 24-Hour Economy project without their knowledge.

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“Today too we were informed that they have gone to allocate a portion of the land around New Market for the construction of a 24-Hour Economy Market which we had no idea of. So, we decided to boycott the programme to send a signal to the Local Government Minister that the government’s representative is treating us with contempt and that in the future we won’t allocate any land to government,” he said.

Nai Kwabena Atopi alleged that the MCE has labelled members of the traditional council as landguards, and that has heightened tensions between the two sides.

“The MCE has been labelling us as landguards and we are not happy. We are very angry but are exercising restraint,” he added.

The traditional leaders have called on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and help resolve what they described as growing tensions between the traditional council and the local government authorities.

They, however, reaffirmed their support for development projects in the area, stressing that proper consultation and respect for the authority of the traditional council must be observed whenever stool lands are involved.

JKB/VPO

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