Members and executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Barekese, located in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region, are demanding answers from the party’s regional leadership regarding a petition they submitted about the alleged relocation of the government’s 24-hour market from Barekese to either Asuofua or Asamang.

Three weeks ago, residents of Barekese took to the streets to protest what they described as a decision by the Atwima Nwabiagya North District Assembly to move the 24-hour market from the district capital to another community.

Following the protest, NDC members in Barekese petitioned the party’s Ashanti Regional Executives for intervention; however, no response has been received thus far.

Addressing the media at Barekese, one of the petitioners, Dickson Amankwah, accused the District Chief Executive, Nbah Zarakia, of failing to address their concerns.

He warned that the situation could adversely affect the image of the NDC in the area. Amankwah also alleged that several government contracts, including those for school buildings, health facilities, and water projects, have been awarded to close associates of the DCE.

"All our problems are about the 24-hour economy market that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama said he's bringing, and we all know that it is coming to Barekese. All we hear is that they've sent it to Asamang.

"And the Regional Minister should inform us too; he said he's sending it to Asuofua. Meanwhile, we've submitted petitions to the party Headquarters, to constituency executives, as well as to the Regional Executives, a presidential staffer, and the Regional Minister.

"And up till now, three weeks later, we have not heard from them. What we're saying is that the party leaders are deceiving us. They think they are worrying us, but it's the party they want to collapse; they are destroying the party here in Atwima Nwabiagya.

"Everything depends on our DCE, who brought us the news that Asiedu Nketia is supporting him, the Regional Minister supports him... and the National Executives, Regional Executives, and Nana Kwasi are all behind him in the sense that he doesn't fear because they all stand behind him," he stated.

Meanwhile, some NDC executives in the district cautioned that relocating the 24-hour market from the district capital could hurt the party’s fortunes in the 2028 general elections.

They also expressed concern over what they described as the neglect of key state institutions such as the district police station and the district court, which have been left to deteriorate.