A concerned citizen and environmental advocate, Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, has raised serious concerns about the rapid proliferation of Chinese-owned shopping malls across Ghana, questioning the regulatory processes and potential socio-economic impact of these developments.
In an interview with The Chronicle, he expressed bewilderment at what he described as the unchecked spread of these retail giants, questioning whether state authorities are conducting the necessary due diligence before granting approvals.
Planning and Safety
Nana Sarpong also questioned whether relevant state officials, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), are conducting critical assessments such as Traffic Impact Assessments before construction begins. He further questioned whether these commercial facilities are being sited on land originally zoned for retail purposes.
He expressed alarm that the construction methods and standards do not appear to match those seen in other parts of the world. “Is that how malls are constructed in other parts of the world?” he asked.
“Why China Mall?” he queried, adding, “The places where they are sited in Ghana will lose their names.”
His concerns over zoning and environmental safety have been echoed by recent events in the Eastern Region, where the Regional Minister ordered the immediate halt to the construction of a controversial China Mall project in Koforidua due to significant environmental concerns.
The project, located near a waterlogged area, has been identified as a potential contributor to severe flooding in the community. Residents claim the site was originally a riparian zone and a natural channel for stormwater, and its development has exacerbated flooding.
Threat to Local Businesses
Nana Sarpong argued that the emergence of China Malls could lead to the collapse of local Ghanaian businesses, as they are being heavily outcompeted. According to the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), foreign entities such as China Mall and Chinatown have captured about 40% of the market share, leaving little room for indigenous traders and contributing to foreign exchange pressures as profits are repatriated.
Nana Sarpong questioned whether this was the type of investment Ghana should prioritize. “Instead of looking at job creation, we look at retailing,” he lamented.
He cited specific locations where malls have been “wrongly sited,” noting that in Kumasi, construction along roadsides creates significant traffic problems. He mentioned the Oforikrom junction near the airport road and the NkawkawObomeng junction as particularly concerning examples.
Nana Sarpong questioned whether Ghanaian leaders who travel abroad have observed similar developments in other “serious countries,” urging them to apply those lessons at home.
Expressing frustration over what he perceives as public apathy, Nana Sarpong stated, “It’s a sad thing, and what pains me is that everybody is quiet.”
He noted that the current trend, which is causing Ghana to lose its market dominance to foreign traders, is “not progressive” and that “we can’t run a country like that.”
For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z
