The NPP Minority in Parliament has accused the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) of targeting members of the Konkomba community in its plans to redevelop the area around the Konkomba Yam Market into a 24-hour market.
The Minority caucus raised the concern after inspecting the area, led by the Member of Parliament for Bimbilla and former Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul.
According to Dominic Nitiwul, the inspection showed that structures occupied by members of the Konkomba community had largely been marked for demolition, while buildings in areas where the community does not reside had not been similarly marked.
He also said shops within the Konkomba Yam Market had been marked for demolition as part of the redevelopment plans.
Dominic Nitiwul has consequently appealed to President John Mahama to intervene and prevent the AMA from proceeding with the planned demolition.
He argued that the Minority was not against the development of the area but wanted the concerns of residents and traders to be addressed before any action was taken.
“No MP is against development,” the Minority said, while calling for the interests of affected people to be considered.
However, Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey has rejected the allegation that the Assembly is deliberately targeting the Konkomba community.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, September 16, the Mayor said the AMA had engaged leaders of the Konkomba community and other groups operating in the market ahead of the redevelopment.
Mr Allotey said he had personally visited the market more than 15 times and held meetings with traders before the 24-hour market project was initiated.
He also insisted that the government and the ruling NDC had the interests of the Konkomba community at heart.
