The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, has appealed to traditional authorities (Nananom) to release strategically located lands to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to accelerate the government’s flagship 24-hour market project.
According to the Minister, the availability of suitable land is critical to the timely construction of the markets. He therefore urged MMDAs to work closely with chiefs and queen mothers to secure appropriate sites for the projects.
Mr Ibrahim made the call when he addressed a meeting of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs in Sunyani. He explained that MMDAs would be allowed to select from four market models under the 24-hour market initiative, depending on their individual capacities.
He noted that while government would be responsible for engaging consultants, developing the market designs and mobilising funding, the success of the project would largely depend on effective collaboration between the assemblies and traditional authorities to provide land.
Meanwhile, the Bono Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Addae Akwaboa, commended chiefs and queen mothers in the region for their support for development. He urged them to formally establish the Bonokyempim Council to promote coordinated development efforts in the Bono and Bono East Regions.
Mr Akwaboa also announced that the region would host a Public Accountability Series in April, during which he would account for his stewardship and outline ongoing and planned development programmes.
However, the Vice President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Drobo Traditional Area, Okokyeredom Sakyi Ako II, expressed concern about the numerous challenges facing the House. He cited inadequate staffing and logistics, noting that many traditional councils in the region lacked bailiffs and registrars.
