Bimbilla MP Dominic Nitiwul and Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey have clashed over plans to demolish parts of the Konkomba Yam Market at Agbogbloshie to make way for a proposed 24-hour economy market.
Mr Nitiwul has questioned what he describes as the focus on the section of the market predominantly occupied by Konkomba traders, while other parts of the market are reportedly not affected by the redevelopment plans.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, Mr Allotey rejected claims that the Konkomba community was being singled out.
The mayor said he had visited the market more than 15 times before the 24-hour market project was introduced and had personally participated in marking areas earmarked for redevelopment.
He also disputed Mr Nitiwul’s account of the consultation process, accusing the MP of misleading the public about the project.
“I don’t sit in the office, I am not an office mayor, I don’t wear political suit. I am always on the ground, I know what I am about, I know what I am saying, I don’t give fake news, I don’t deceive people,” he said on Wednesday, September 16.
Mr Allotey maintained that the administration of President John Dramani Mahama had been working to improve conditions for Konkomba traders and insisted that the community was not being targeted.
Mr Nitiwul, however, said his concerns centred on protecting traders and yam producers who depend on the market.
He said millions of people rely on the Konkomba Yam Market, while a significant proportion of yam producers in his constituency supply produce to the facility.
“In the case of the Konkomba market, my people are the people of Ghana, the millions of people who buy yam at the Konkomba Yam Market. Three to four million yams are sold daily at the Konkomba Yam Market, so I represent those people. I also represent the yam producers from my own constituency. Ninety per cent of the yam producers are from my constituency, so I represent them and I speak for them,” he said.
A major point of disagreement between the two officials is the nature of engagements between the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the market’s leadership.
Mr Nitiwul said the mayor met leaders of the Konkomba Yam Market on July 28 and presented them with markings and drawings showing the proposed redevelopment.
According to him, the traders told the mayor that it was their first meeting with him and that previous engagements had involved individuals whom they did not recognise as representatives of the market.
Mr Allotey disputed the account and accused the MP of contradicting earlier statements about whether consultations had taken place.
“You lied to the people. I have not met them as at that time. You told them we just woke up and we decided to do this work. You lied to the people and you have to apologise,” he said.
