Hundreds of residents of Mankrong Nkwanta in the Agona East District of the Central Region have been displaced following an ongoing demolition exercise to make way for the construction of the 24-Hour Economy Market.
The exercise is being carried out by government, despite earlier suggestions from community leaders to provide a bare land alternative for the project.
Several houses have already been pulled down as part of the redevelopment process.
According to Citi News’ findings, authorities at the District Assembly maintain that the area historically served as a market in the pre-colonial era.
Among those affected is 66-year-old bedridden resident Comfort Quansah, who has been rendered homeless as a result of the demolitions.
“They invited us to a meeting with the assemblyman to tell us that we are occupying government land so we should vacate. The assemblyman said that he was going to rent an apartment for me but said I should pay the rent which I disagreed.
“They came yesterday and asked me to vacate my home. So my brother gave me this space but it has no bathroom and toilet facility. I took my bath in the open last night and had to crawl back to the room. The government has not provided any alternative neither have we received any compensation,” she said.
Affected property owners say they have been consistently deceived by the assemblyman for the Mankrong Junction Electoral Area, Abraham Inkoom, who is fronting the project.
According to them, property valuation forms for compensation that were distributed to them by the assemblyman have been described as unofficial by the District Chief Executive. They are therefore calling on the central government to intervene.
“I built this house with all the funds I had. The assemblyman invited us to inform us about the upcoming 24Hour Economy Market. They gave us a property valuation form to fill but the assembly says it is not official and that the assemblyman has not been appointed to lead any project,” a resident told Citi News. 
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