The Minority on the Local Government and Rural Development Committee has called on the government to immediately halt and comprehensively review its 24-hour Economy Market program, describing its current implementation as “poorly planned” and “disconnected” from the actual development needs of many communities. Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Minority stated they are not opposed to market modernization or extended operating hours where there is genuine economic demand, but expressed serious concerns about the program’s rollout across the country.
The Minority argued that the program was not part of the governing party’s 2024 manifesto and is being imposed as a one-size-fits-all national project, disregarding district development plans, population sizes, economic activities, and existing infrastructure. They questioned what needs assessments and feasibility studies are guiding the projects, stating that the principle of decentralization is being undermined by imposing development priorities from the center.
A major point of concern raised was the demolition of existing public and community infrastructure to make way for the new markets. The Minority cited examples from across the country, including a market in the Upper Manya Krobo District, a school in the Ahafo Ano South-West District, a magistrate court in the Upper West Region, and a newly constructed market in the Western North District, all reportedly earmarked for demolition. They also mentioned the demolition of homes, shops, and a community bank facility in other regions.
The Minority emphasized that a market does not become a viable 24-hour operation simply by government declaration. They noted that success requires sufficient commercial activity, willing traders, customer patronage, adequate security, and supporting services like electricity, water, and sanitation—conditions they say differ from district to district. They stressed that the key question should be what each community needs to strengthen its local economy, not how many 24-hour markets the government can build.
In their demands, the Minority called for an immediate, comprehensive, and non-partisan review of the program to redesign it as needs-based and demand-driven. They urged the government to prioritize rehabilitating or expanding existing markets where feasible, complete markets already under construction rather than abandoning or demolishing them, and ensure meaningful involvement of local assemblies, traders, traditional authorities, and residents in project decisions.
The Minority concluded by reiterating their support for investments in modern markets and stronger local economies, but insisted that development must be based on needs, proper planning, consultation, and value for money. “We cannot preach decentralization while imposing development priorities from the center,” they stated, urging the government to pause, listen to affected communities, and protect existing public assets.
EcowasNewsOnline.com
