DCE justifies demolition claims over school building for 24-hour market

District Chief Executive for the Ahafo Ano South West District, Abubakar Sedik, has justified the decision regarding a school building in connection with the construction of the 24-hour market at Mankranso.

In a viral video on social media, the Communications Officer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ahafo Ano South West, Baabi Dehyee Kwaku, drew the attention of the general public to alleged attempts by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to demolish a newly constructed school building to pave the way for the construction of a 24-hour market.

He insisted that the move by the government would not be condoned, describing it as a dent in the future of young people in the area.

However, in a statement on the issue, the District Chief Executive for the Ahafo Ano South West District, Abubakar Sedik, said the building in question was constructed in 2022 but had remained unused.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Classroom Block being referred to was constructed in 2022 and has since remained unused. The construction of the facility at the time was a misplaced priority, particularly considering the pressing developmental needs of the people and the fact that the facility has remained unutilised,” he said.

He added: “Let me state categorically that no one is going to demolish the said school building to construct the 24-hour market. The market project is being undertaken and has nothing to do with the demolition of that school facility.”

Read the full statement below

Response to misleading claims on the construction of the 24-hour market at Mankranso

My attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media by Baabi Dehyee Kwaku, the Communications Officer of the NPP in the Ahafo Ano South West Constituency, concerning the construction of the 24-hour market at Mankranso.

I wish to state clearly that the claims made in the video are false, misleading and politically motivated. The attempt to create the impression that an existing Classroom Block is going to be demolished to pave the way for the construction of the 24-hour model market is simply untrue.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Classroom Block being referred to was constructed in 2022 and has since remained unused. The construction of the facility at the time was a misplaced priority, particularly considering the pressing developmental needs of the people and the fact that the facility has remained unutilised.

Let me state categorically that no one is going to demolish the said school building to construct the 24-hour market. The market project is being undertaken and has nothing to do with the demolition of that school facility.

The 24-hour market is a major development initiative intended to create economic opportunities, improve trading conditions and contribute to the socio-economic development of Mankranso and the Ahafo Ano South West District as a whole.

I therefore urge the general public to disregard the claims contained in the said video and treat them as nothing more than malicious, misleading and politically motivated propaganda.

We must not allow partisan politics and misinformation to undermine developmental projects that are being undertaken in the interest of our people.

As District Chief Executive, my focus remains firmly on development and improving the lives of the people of Ahafo Ano South West.

I will continue to support projects that bring meaningful and lasting benefits to our communities.

I stand for development.

The work continues.

Abubakar Sedik

District Chief Executive

Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly