By Collins Sarkodieh 
A major political storm is brewing in the Ahafo Ano South East Constituency of the Ashanti Region over where to build a highly anticipated commercial hub. Angry residents and local traders in Adugyama have issued a strict one-week ultimatum to the government regarding the location of a proposed 24-hour Economy Market.
The community members are fiercely protesting plans to build the modern trade facility in Abesewa instead of the official district capital. The dispute has triggered high tension, with local voters warning that they will unleash a massive street demonstration if the presidency ignores their developmental grievances.
The core logic behind the boiling anger of the traders centers entirely on fairness and basic municipal planning. The group’s convener, Inusah Issifu, pointed out that the existing market in Adugyama has served surrounding farming communities for over seventy years without receiving any major state face-lift.
Market women are currently forced to display their perishable food items on the bare ground and directly in front of peoples private homes due to severe space congestion. To make things more embarrassing for a commercial hub, the ancient trading center does not even have a single public toilet facility for the hundreds of mothers who sell there daily.
The local protesters are openly accusing their Member of Parliament, Mohammed Yakubu, of playing unfair hometown favoritism. They claim the political leadership deliberately maneuvered to site the multi-million cedi market project in Abesewa simply because that is the MP’s personal birthplace.
The demonstrators argue that Abesewa has absolutely no economic need for another market because it sits too close to the already thriving Bechem market. Duplicating trade facilities in a small neighborhood while the main district capital starves of basic infrastructure makes zero economic sense and wastes precious taxpayers money.
The situation has taken a highly emotional turn as the demonstrators are reminding the ruling party of their political loyalty. Speaking during a fresh street protest on Monday, July 13, 2026, the traders appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama to call his local handlers to order.
The protesters emphasized that they are the exact local delegates and grassroots organizers who campaigned heavily to secure his victory during the 2024 national elections. They expressed deep bitterness that the District Chief Executive has completely refused to meet with them or even listen to the wise counsel of their respected traditional rulers.
With the one-week deadline ticking away rapidly, neither the Member of Parliament nor the District Chief Executive has released an official statement to calm the community. The traders have urged the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, to step into the matter immediately to resolve the zoning conflict before things get messy.
Building the 24-hour Economy Market in Adugyama will naturally stimulate massive economic growth because the town already possesses the population and trading traffic to support night-time business operations. The government must act fast to correct this planning mistake, proving to the people that national development is based on real public needs rather than inside political connections.
Also Read: Mahama Launches 24 Hour Economy Market During Central Region Development Tour