The Paramount Chief of the Damongo Traditional Area, Seidu Kelly Boresa I, has strongly rejected the proposed location for the government’s planned 24-hour market in Damongo.
According to the Damongowura, officials from the West Gonja Municipal Assembly paid a courtesy call on him at his palace to present the design and proposed siting of the market project.
The Assembly reportedly proposed to construct the facility around the Damongo Community Centre area.
However, the traditional ruler and his elders disagreed with the proposal, insisting that the new 24-hour market should instead be constructed at the existing daily market, which they describe as the commercial hub and centre of the town.
The Damongowura cautioned that relocating the project from the current everyday market could risk turning it into a “white elephant” if traders and residents fail to patronise the new site.
He argued that the present market location is strategically positioned and already serves as the economic heartbeat of Damongo.
He further indicated his readiness to release land to any households that may be affected should the project be sited at the existing market.
He pledged his full support to ensure the project succeeds and aligns with the broader vision of the 24-hour economy policy.
Drawing from examples of stalled or abandoned government projects in other communities, the Damongowura stressed that developments imposed against the will of the people often struggle to thrive.
He noted that he does not want the proposed 24-hour market to suffer a similar fate.
Supporting the chief’s stance, the Damongo Market Chief (Chaliwura), Garba Techi Dari Eric, stated that the priority should be “quality over quantity.”
He maintained that both traditional and economic considerations favour the existing market location. He also revealed that the proposed site by the Assembly is currently the subject of a legal dispute in court.
Meanwhile, the Damongowura disclosed that a youth group has petitioned him, expressing opposition to any relocation of the market away from the existing daily market, a position he says aligns with the views of the traditional authority.
The Municipal Assembly is yet to publicly respond to the concerns raised by the traditional leadership.
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