Barekese Residents & Traders Protest 24-Hour Market Siting Decision

Residents and traders of Barekese in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region have staged a demonstration against plans to site a proposed 24-hour economy market at Asuofua, instead of Barekese, the district capital. The protestors described the decision as unfair and unjustified, arguing that Barekase has vast available land suitable for the project and remains the most appropriate location to host the market. According to them, constructing the market at Barekese would not only enhance trading activities but also help move traders from the roadsides to ease traffic congestion in the area. Leader of the demonstration, Dickson Amankwa, said the protest was jointly organized by traders and members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to demand development for the district capital. “We cannot allow our DCE to take the development of Barekase for granted by relocating such an important project to Asuofua. We are calling on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene because Barekase also deserves its fair share of development,” he stated. Mr. Amankwa further noted that since Barekese was separated from Nkawie, most major development projects, including the police station, fire service station and hospital, have been sited at Nkawie, leaving Barekase underserved. “Now that we are a district capital, it is only right that key infrastructure projects are brought here,” he added.