Residents and traders in Damongo are raising serious concerns over the ongoing 24-hour economy market project in the West Gonja Municipality, questioning why the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Yakubu Yussif Castro, has left some old structures standing instead of demolishing the entire market site ahead of the new construction.
The residents are insisting that every building and structure within the market area must be pulled down to make way for a completely new facility, arguing that the 24-hour economy market is a brand new government project and should not incorporate any old or pre-existing buildings.
Some traders who spoke to Spear FM recalled that the old market buildings in question were constructed during the period of the Damongo-Fufulso-Sawla Road project, and are therefore old structures that have no place in what they describe as an entirely new development initiative.
The traders and residents are not only questioning the decision but are also raising strong suspicions of corruption, alleging that some individuals may be seeking to pocket portions of the project funds by renovating the old structures and attaching them to the 24-hour economy market thereby reducing the actual construction cost and diverting the difference for personal gain.
Both residents and traders issued a stern warning to Hon. Castro, stating that any attempt to renovate old buildings and pass them off as part of the 24-hour economy market project would be met with a public demonstration against the MCE and the management of the West Gonja Municipal Assembly.
In a vox pop engagement, some youth also weighed in on the matter, warning that such an action would bring embarrassment to President John Dramani Mahama, a son of the Savannah Region, whose flagship 24-hour economy policy must be implemented with full integrity and transparency.
The traders and residents are further appealing to the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, and the Paramount Chief of Damongo, Damongowura Kelly Boresa I, to use their traditional authority to intervene and ensure that local politicians do not compromise the integrity of the project.
