The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahafo Ano South West Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Elvis Osei Mensah Dapaah, has appealed for calm and urgent consultations over plans to establish a 24-hour economy market at Mankranso, the district capital.
Speaking on Akoma 87.9 FM’s Ghanakoma morning show with Sir John on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the MP called for an alternative site for the proposed market, arguing that the project should not compromise existing educational and health infrastructure.
His concerns follow a viral video alleging that the Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly intends to demolish an existing classroom block at Mankranso to make way for the market.
MP backs market project but raises concerns
Mr Dapaah said he supports initiatives aimed at promoting local commerce and empowering market women but maintained that development should not come at the expense of educational infrastructure.
“As your parliamentary representative, my oath is to serve the public good, protect public resources, and advocate for the progress of our people. While I strongly advocate for local commerce and the empowerment of our market women, development must never come at the cost of erasing educational infrastructure,” he stated.
He expressed particular concern about the proposed location of the market, citing its reported proximity to the District Hospital.
According to the MP, establishing a busy market close to a hospital could create challenges for healthcare delivery, while removing a completed classroom block could affect access to education.
“I remain unyielding in my commitment to defending the educational legacy of Ahafo Ano South West,” he stated.
Mr Dapaah urged traditional authorities, local leaders, residents and relevant state institutions to engage in consultations to identify suitable alternative land for the project.
“Let us find suitable alternative land for our market without destroying what has already been built for our children,” he added.
DCE denies plans to demolish classroom block
Contributing to the programme, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ahafo Ano South West, Abubakar Sadik, dismissed claims that the Assembly intends to demolish the classroom block to construct the 24-hour economy market.
According to the DCE, the classroom block was constructed in 2022 but has remained unused.
He insisted that the school building would not be demolished for the market project, stressing that the two developments were separate.
Siting concerns remain
However, the DCE’s response did not directly address concerns raised by the MP about the proposed location of the market, particularly its proximity to the classroom block and the District Hospital.
The differing concerns have triggered calls for further engagement among the District Assembly, the MP, traditional authorities and other stakeholders.
The consultations are expected to help clarify the proposed location and address concerns about the potential impact of the project on education and healthcare infrastructure in Mankranso.
