The construction of the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy Market project at Dodowa in the Shai-Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region is facing significant challenges following concerns raised by families and local representatives over the ownership of the traditional market site earmarked for redevelopment.
The disagreement centres on the old Dodowa traditional market, which has been cleared to pave the way for the proposed project. Some affected families have questioned the handling of the land acquisition process, alleging that the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly has failed to adequately engage them and address concerns over compensation.
The development has raised concerns about the process leading to the commencement of the project, with affected families calling for meaningful engagement and clarity on arrangements for the use of the land.
Bright Apperkon, spokesman and deputy leader of the Apperkon family, one of the families claiming an interest in the affected land, has criticised the Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Shai-Osudoku, Linda Ocloo, and the District Chief Executive (DCE), Ignatius Godfred, over what he describes as their failure to properly engage affected families.
Speaking to 1960news.com, Mr Apperkon expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the redevelopment process has been handled, arguing that the concerns of families with interests in the land should have been addressed before the project proceed.
He questioned the level of consultation between the local authorities and the affected families, particularly regarding the ownership of the old market site and the arrangements for compensating those whose interests may be affected by the redevelopment.
Bright Apperkon, spokesman and deputy leader of the Apperkon family, Dodowa
According to the family representative, the handling of the matter has left affected families concerned about whether their interests have received adequate consideration in the planning and implementation of the project.
At the centre of the disagreement are questions about land ownership, consultation and compensation.
The affected families contend that the redevelopment of the traditional market site should involve transparent discussions with all parties who have legitimate interests in the land.
They have also raised concerns about what they perceive as a lackadaisical approach by the District Assembly towards addressing their grievances, particularly in relation to compensation.
The dispute highlights the importance of resolving land-related concerns through appropriate consultation and clearly communicated arrangements, especially when public infrastructure projects involve sites with existing traditional, family or private interests.
However, the precise ownership arrangements for the disputed site, the status of any compensation negotiations and the position of the District Assembly on the allegations remain unclear based on the information available.
A temporary relocation site near the Dodowa Forest has been cleared to accommodate traders while work on the proposed 24-Hour Economy Market progresses
However, the broader implementation of the project has encountered difficulties amid the concerns over the old market land and the handling of the interests of affected families.
The disagreement presents a challenge for the local authorities, who must balance the implementation of the government’s market redevelopment initiative with the need to address concerns surrounding land ownership, compensation and stakeholder engagement.
The concerns raised by the Apperkon family have brought renewed attention to the role of local authorities in engaging traditional landowners, families and other stakeholders before and during the implementation of public projects.
Meaningful engagement could help clarify the ownership of the affected land, establish the status of compensation arrangements and identify an acceptable way forward for all parties.
For the Dodowa project, resolving the outstanding concerns could be critical to reducing tensions and creating a clearer path for the redevelopment of the market.
The 24-Hour Economy Market initiative is intended to support commercial activity and improve market infrastructure. However, the concerns raised by the affected families suggest that land-related grievances and questions about consultation need to be addressed alongside the project’s development.
As the disagreement continues, attention will be on the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly and the Greater Accra Regional Minister to respond to the concerns raised by the affected families and clarify the steps being taken to resolve the matter.
1960news.com will continue to follow developments surrounding the Dodowa 24-Hour Economy Market project.
By 1960news.com
