By Prince Acquah, GNA
Cape Coast, April 25, GNA – The Mayor of Cape Coast, Mr George Justice Arthur, and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast North, Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku, have locked horns over a proposed site for the construction of a 24-hour economy market in Cape Coast.
Led by the Mayor, a land has been selected for the market at Ekon Junction in the Cape Coast South Constituency and is currently under preparation for the earnest commencement of the project.
But the Cape Coast North MP has strongly rejected the site, indicating that the location was unsuitable for the grand economic project.
Initially, the team settled on a piece of land adjacent the Cape Coast Sports Stadium within the Cape Coast North Constituency.
However, the site was later changed over security concerns raised by the Sports Minister, according to the Mayor.
In a disclaimer issued on Tuesday, April 21, the Office of the MP dismissed claims that the MP was engaged in the selection process, stressing that he had not endorsed the new site.
The office clarified that Dr Nyarku was in full support of the project but insisted on a fair and equitable process.
“While the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North Constituency, Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku, fully supports initiatives that promote economic growth and development within our Metropolis, he is not in support of the proposed Ekon Junction site as it currently stands,” the statement said.
“It is important that such a significant project is carefully planned and located to ensure maximum benefit, accessibility, and long-term sustainability for our people,” it maintained.
The MP, through his office, urged calm among the residents of Cape Coast, assuring that he was actively engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure a more suitable and widely accepted location was selected for the project.
On his side, the Mayor has firmly defended the choice of the site, maintaining that it was secured through a painstaking process with considerations for all other viable locations.
He said the decision by a genuine interest in the development of the ancient city rather than a parochial interest.
A statement released by the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly explained that the market, requiring a land size of about six acres, was designed to run 24 hours and therefore, it could not be sited far away from the busy centres of Cape Coast.
According to the Assembly, they initially chose to build the market on a land at Adisadel belonging to State Housing Corporation which had been leased to the Ghana Immigration Service for the construction of a regional office.
But negotiation with the Immigration Service to release the land failed, compelling them to move to Abura.
“The land in front of the Cape Coast Stadium (Abura) which was chosen was also not approved by the Minister of Sports, Mr Kofi Adams, citing security concerns of having a market close to an international stadium and future expansion works to be done by the National Sports Authority,” it said.
A proposed land at Mpeasem was also rejected by the consultant because it was far from the busy centres of Cape Coast.
“The Assembly eventually settled on land close to Ekon junction after deliberations with the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).
“The final site, which is close to the Regional Coordinating Council, does not fall within the designated security zones of RCC as other businesses are currently operating in that enclave,” the Assembly explained.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) office in the Cape Coast North Constituency has petitioned the Minister for Local Government, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, to halt the project for further consultations.
The office has strongly objected to the current project site, arguing that the area did not have what it took to make the market effective.
Additionally, it observed that Cape Coast South, where the market was being constructed, was already heavily developed and it would be unfair to have the project there.
The NDC office indicated that Cape Coast North already runs an unofficial vibrant night market which kept the local economy always running, making it a more suitable site.
For a more equitable development and a better functioning market, they insisted that the 24-hour economy market must be in Cape Coast North.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey /Kenneth Odeng Adade