Minority Mps Raise Red Flags … Over 24-Hour Economy Markets

The Minority in Parliament has raised strong objections to the government’s ongoing 24-Hour Economy Market Programmes, accusing authorities of demolishing existing public infrastructure and community assets to make way for new market projects without adequate consultation, planning or justification.

Addressing a press conference in Accra yesterday, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Committee on Local Government and Rural Development, Francis Asenso-Boakye, said while the Minority supports efforts to modernise markets and stimulate economic activity, the current implementation of the programme raises serious concerns about value for money, local participation and development priorities.

“We built, you destroy,” the Minority declared, arguing that useful public facilities are being pulled down only to be replaced under what it described as a poorly conceived national market construction agenda, which was not in the manifesto of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2024 electioneering campaign.

“The 24-Hour Economy Market Programme, as currently being implemented, appears poorly conceived, poorly planned and disconnected from the actual development needs of many communities,” Asenso-Boakye said.

Francis Asenso-Boakye addressing the media

According to the Minority, the 24-hour economy market programme appears to have been rolled out without sufficient needs assessments and feasibility studies to determine whether proposed locations can sustain round-the-clock commercial activity.

The caucus questioned why a standard market model was being replicated across districts with varying population sizes, economic conditions and infrastructure needs.

“Development, especially a market development program, cannot be one-size-fits-all,” noted Asenso-Boakye who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama.

The 24-Hour Economy is one of the flagship policies of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and is intended to increase productivity, create jobs and stimulate economic activity by encouraging businesses and public services to operate beyond traditional working hours.

As part of the broader policy, the government has identified market infrastructure as a key component, arguing that modern market facilitates can support trading activities around the clock, improve food distribution networks and create opportunities for small businesses, traders and transport operators. Under the programme, plans have been announced to construct 24-hour economy markets in districts across the country.

Government officials have maintained that the initiative is aimed at transforming local commerce, improving market access for farmers and traders, and creating economic hubs of supporting continuous business activity.

However, the rollout has generated debate over whether all districts possess the population, infrastructure and commercial demand needed to sustain round-the-clock trading.

Questions have also emerged about site selection, consultation with local stakeholders and the decision to replace some existing public facilities and market structures with new developments.

The Minority argued that district assemblies, which are mandated as planning authorities under Ghana’s decentralization framework, appear to have had limited influence over the selection and design of the projects, a situation he noted, defeats the purpose of the country’s decentralization plan.

Central to the Minority’s criticism is what it describes as a growing pattern of demolitions of functioning public facilities and community assets.

The group cited several examples across the country, including the reported demolition of the Nkenkaasu Market in the Offinso North District, a market commissioned during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

It also pointed to the reported demolition of an astro turf facility under construction at Mamponteng in the Kwabre East Municipality and plans to pull down the existing Asesewa Market in the Upper Manya Krobo area.

In the Ahafo Ano South West District, the Minority claimed a newly constructed school has been earmarked for demolition to make way for a 24-hour market project, with groundwork already underway within the school compound.

The caucus also cited a reported demolition of a Magistrate Court in Nandom, the pulling down of the unoccupied Enchi Market in the Western North Region and the demolition of the historic Tendamba Primary School in Wa.

“Why a newly constructed educational facility would be earmarked for demolition at a time when communities continue to require basic educational facilities?” the Minority asked.

The center-right political group also referred to reported demolitions affecting homes, shops, commercial facilities and existing markets in areas including Kasoa, Wenchi, Abor, Mankrong, Elubo, Asesewa and Poyentanga.

The Minority said opposition to some of the projects is growing among traders and residents. For instance, the group noted that traders at the Nungua Market have resisted plans to demolish the decades-old facility, arguing that rehabilitation would be a more practical option.

Similar concerns have reportedly emerged at Kwabenya, Ashaiman, Kokomba Market and Aiyinase, where traders fear displacement and disruption to their businesses. The caucus said these incidents suggest widespread dissatisfaction among project-affected communities and underscore the need for broader stakeholder engagement.

Beyond the demolition concerns, the Minority questioned whether all selected locations possess the economic conditions required for a successful 24-hour market.

It argued that viable night-time commerce depends on several factors, including adequate customer demand, reliable transportation systems, security, electricity, water supply and sanitation services.

“A market does not become a viable 24-hour economy market simply because Government calls it one,” Hon. Asenso-Boakye noted.

The caucus urged policymakers to focus on local economic realities rather than prioritizing uniform infrastructure projects across all districts.

“The question should not be where government can build a 24-hour economy market. Rather, it should be what the community actually needs to strengthen its local economy”, Asenso-Boakye noted.

Concerned about the issue, the group is, therefore, calling for an immediate review of the programme and a pause in its current implementation.

It wants the government to undertake what it described as a comprehensive, non-partisan assessment of the initiative, with greater involvement of local assemblies, traders, traditional authorities and residents.

The caucus also proposed that existing markets be expanded or rehabilitated where necessary rather than demolished and replaced.

“Government must pause, listen to the affected communities, review the programme and get it right,” the group said. They maintained that modern markets and stronger local economies remain important national objectives, but stressed that development must be driven by need, consultation, careful planning and prudent use of public resources.

By Stephen Larbi

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