The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West Constituency, Hon. Peter Lanchene Toobu, has firmly rejected claims that he failed to consult traditional leaders before decisions were made on the location of a new 24-hour Economy Market in the district.
The allegations surfaced during a press conference held today by youth groups from Wechiau, the district capital, who accused the MP of influencing the choice of Poyentanga over Wechiau for the proposed market project without proper stakeholder engagement.
Responding to the concerns on Home Radio’s Tegyaayala Socio-Political Show, hosted by Adil Fuseini, Hon. Toobu distanced himself from the decision-making process. “I was not part of the meeting to take the decision on this market, so I can’t speak further,” he stated.
When pressed on what his position would have been had he participated in the deliberations, the MP indicated support for alternative sites. “I would have suggested Nyoli or Poyentanga,” he said, indicating that he favored locations outside the district capital. He further clarified that the selection of the market site was a decision made by the Wa West District Assembly, and not one in which he played a direct role or exercised personal influence.
The controversy arises amid the ongoing rollout of the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy policy, which includes the construction of dedicated markets across districts in the Upper West Region to promote extended trading hours, job creation, and economic activity.
Hon. Toobu used the opportunity to call for unity, urging the youth and traditional leaders to collaborate in advancing development initiatives in Wa West. “I call on the youth and traditional leaders to rally together to facilitate the development of the area,” he appealed.
The debate over the market’s location highlights local sensitivities around project siting in the district, where communities such as Wechiau, Poyentanga, Nyoli, and others seek to benefit from government interventions. While the MP emphasized his non-involvement in the specific decision, his comments reflect efforts to maintain community cohesion amid the policy’s implementation.
No immediate response has been received from district authorities or the youth groups regarding the MP’s statements. The 24-Hour Economy initiative continues to generate discussions across Ghana as it moves from policy to practical execution.
By Adil Fuseini
