THE GHANA Urban Management Pilot Project (GUMPP), which seeks to modernize the Ho Central Market and Ho business district which covers the market, central lorry station and Metro Mass Transport station among others, is likely to suffer a major setback.  

Contrary to claims by Vice President John Mahama that all stakeholders of the market have been consulted to ensure smooth implementation of the project, information reaching DAILY GUIDE suggests otherwise.

According to head of the Mama Afrim Adza-ma Family of Ho Bankoe, land owners of the Ho Central Market, lorry station and the Metro Mass Transport station, Emmanuel Komla Anyomi, no member of the family has been consulted and an agreement has not been reached between the Assembly and the family over the land.

Mr. Anyomi noted the family has resolved to seek a court injunction to stop the refurbishment of the market and any part of their land with regards to the GUMPP until a permanent agreement is reached between it and the assembly.

He believes the assembly did not tell government the truth about the land thereby causing the vice president to lie to the entire nation.

He explained that the said land which is about 12.083 acres was leased by their fore fathers to the then local council in 1960 for £8.00 per month to be renewed every 15 years. However the renewal has never taken place since the land was leased.

According to the lease agreement, any structure and development on the land should be done with the consent of the land owners, which has been breached. More so the assembly has also encroached on other portions family's land which is not part of the original land leased. 

Mr. Anyomi added that over the years there have been many disagreements with the assembly over the monthly payments to the family. At a point the assembly was paying GH¢5.00 per month and the family feels they have been unfairly treated over the years.

Mr. Anyomi said currently the assembly is paying GH¢300 pending a permanent agreement adding the family had presented a draft agreement proposal to the assembly which is yet to receive any response.

He noted the family is not against modernization of the market and central business district but concerned about the procedure through which it is being done.

Another elder of the family, Frank Anku Kudzordzi said should the assembly fail to reach a permanent agreement after the injunction they will take back their land.

Meanwhile Ho MCE, Isaac Kodobisah has described the allegations by the family as untrue and baseless. According to him what the vice president meant by consultation of stakeholders referred to those involved in the market design and what will form the components of the new market.

He added that the family had misrepresented facts and that 'the land was leased for 99 years at an amount to be renewed every 15 years which has not yet elapsed.' They are rather presenting a new lease agreement instead of renegotiating the monthly amount.

Mr. Kodobisah said when he came to office the assembly renewed the amount from GH¢100 to GH¢300 which it has been honoring till date.

  From Fred Duodu, Ho