Nana Anim Kokor ll
Chiefs of the Jacobu Traditional Council in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region have strongly opposed what they describe as a sudden and unexplained decision by the government to relocate the proposed 24-Hour Market project from Jacobu, the district capital, to the nearby community of 9 Miles.
Dressed in black and red cloth to signify their displeasure, the chiefs, who gathered at the Jacobu Lorry Station yesterday, warned that they would resist any attempt to deprive the district capital of the flagship project.
Addressing the media, Nana Anim Kokor II, Gyaasehene of the Jacobu Divisional Council, said the chiefs were shocked by reports that the market, which the government had earlier confirmed would be located in Jacobu, was now being moved to 9 Miles.
He recalled that during the 2024 election campaign, President John Dramani Mahama promised to establish 24-hour markets in districts across the country to stimulate local businesses and economic growth.
According to him, after assuming office, government officials approached the traditional authorities for land to facilitate the construction of the market in Jacobu.
“We recommended Jacobu and willingly released land for the project. We also met the District Chief Executive for Amansie Central, who assured us that the market would be built here,” Nana Anim Kokor II stated.
The chief disclosed that the traditional council was in possession of an official letter dated January 6, 2026, jointly signed by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, confirming that the Amansie Central District 24-Hour Market would be sited at Jacobu.
He questioned what could have caused the apparent change of decision.
“What happened that within a week the site has been changed from Jacobu to 9 Miles? Government officials must come and explain this decision to us because we do not understand it,” he said.
The chiefs insisted that Jacobu, as the district capital, remained the most appropriate location for the project, and argued that relocating it to 9 Miles, which they described as a relatively smaller community, would be unfair to residents and traditional authorities.
Nana Anim Kokor II suggested that if the Regional Minister and the Local Government Minister were unaware of the change, then responsibility should be placed on the District Chief Executive.
“If you are taking the 24-Hour Market from Jacobu to 9 Miles, Nananom want to state clearly that we disagree with you. Jacobu is a town and 9 Miles is a small community,” he declared.
He warned that the chiefs would review their relationship with government officials if the decision was not reversed immediately.
Other traditional leaders present at the press conference included Nana Bona II of the Agona Division and the Okyeamehene of the Jacobu Traditional Divisional Council, Baffour Asare.
The controversy comes amid the government’s rollout of the 24-Hour Economy initiative, under which district-level markets are expected to serve as key hubs for round-the-clock commercial activity and job creation.
A Daily Guide Report