Ashanti Regional Minister refutes claims of Mankranso classroom demolition for 24-hour market

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has dismissed allegations that a 12-classroom block at Mankranso in the Ahafo Ano South West District is being demolished to make way for the government’s 24-Hour Economy Market Project.

Dr Amoakohene made this clarification during a site inspection at Mankranso on Tuesday, accompanied by traditional authorities, the District Chief Executive (DCE), officials of the District Assembly and education authorities.

The Regional Minister explained that technical assessments had ruled out an alternative site for the market because of its swampy nature, which would require extensive drainage and other engineering works.

He said, instead, authorities had decided to re-engineer the existing 12-classroom facility to accommodate components of the 24-Hour Economy Market Project while retaining its educational purpose.

According to the Minister, part of the redesigned facility would be used to accommodate lower primary or Kindergarten pupils. He explained that the arrangement would enable market women to keep their young children close to them while they trade.

Dr Amoakohene also assured the traditional authorities and traders that the existing market would remain at Mankranso.

“Traders were actually concerned that we were going to move the market from Mankranso, and we have assured Nananom and the traders that the market is not moving an inch,” he said.

The Minister said the arrangement was consistent with the government’s broader objective of promoting inclusive regional development.

The Project Manager of Eco Planners and Engineering Consult Limited, Ing. Daniel Yeboah, the consulting firm for the 24-Hour Economy Markets, also clarified that the project would not involve demolishing the classroom block.

The District Director of Education, Mr Justin Kwasi Gbotor, said the 12-classroom facility, built around 2022, had remained unused due to challenges.

The DCE for Ahafo Ano South West, Abubakar Sedik, also dismissed the demolition allegations, stressing that no decision had been taken to demolish the facility.

“We’ve not had any meeting to demolish the classroom block, but rather, we are going to redesign it into the 24-Hour Economy,” he said.