No school should be demolished for 24-hour markets – minister

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has directed that the construction of proposed 24-hour markets across the country must not involve the demolition or relocation of existing schools.

He has instead urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to work closely with traditional authorities to secure suitable and sustainable lands for the initiative.

Mr Ibrahim gave the directive in Wa when he met the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs for the first time since assuming office, as part of efforts to familiarise himself with traditional leaders in the region.

Addressing the chiefs, the minister commended them for their role in maintaining peace and stability in the Upper West Region and acknowledged the operational challenges confronting the Regional House of Chiefs. He assured them of government’s commitment to addressing those challenges.

On the government’s 24-hour market policy, Mr Ibrahim stressed that the initiative must be implemented without disrupting critical social infrastructure, particularly schools.

“Before I proceed, yesterday I heard in the news that a school has been converted into a 24-hour market. That is not coming from my ministry, and I do not think President John Dramani Mahama will endorse that,” he said. “We will not collapse a school to build a market. All MMDCEs have been tasked to liaise with traditional authorities to identify strategic locations for the construction of the markets.”

His comments follow public backlash in the Wa Municipality over reported plans by the Wa Municipal Assembly to relocate the Tendanba Primary School, established more than 70 years ago, to make way for a 24-hour market. The proposal triggered widespread criticism on social media and in the media, escalating into a national debate.

The minister’s firm rejection of any decision to demolish or relocate schools for market construction has since eased tensions and clarified government’s position on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, Kuoro Abu Diaka Sukabe Nania V, welcomed the recent increase in monthly allowances for traditional authorities. However, he drew attention to challenges faced by some chiefs, particularly the lack of functional traditional councils to effectively resolve conflicts and administrative issues.

Source: Ghana/channel247online.com/RafiqNungorAdam