Minority demands review of 24-Hour Market programme over ‘poor planning’

The Minority in Parliament has criticised the government’s implementation of the 24-Hour Economy Market Programme, describing it as an “afterthought” that lacks proper planning and does not adequately respond to the needs of local communities. Ranking Member of Parliament’s Local Government Committee, Francis Asenso-Boakye, who addressed the media on behalf of the Minority, said the programme appears to be disconnected from the development priorities of several districts. He stressed that the Minority is not opposed to the construction or modernisation of markets, nor to markets operating for extended hours where there is genuine economic demand.

However, he questioned the basis for what he described as a nationwide approach to constructing 24-hour economy markets without sufficient consideration of the different needs of districts. “The programme appears to be an afterthought, as it was not presented to Ghanaians as a nationwide market infrastructure programme in the governing party’s 2024 manifesto,” he said. Mr Asenso-Boakye said the government must explain the needs assessments, feasibility studies and local development plans guiding the projects.

He noted that under Ghana’s local governance framework, District Assemblies serve as planning authorities within their jurisdictions, making it important for development projects to reflect local priorities. Others need their existing markets rehabilitated or expanded. Some already have markets under construction,” he said.

According to him, other districts may have more pressing development needs, including roads, drainage, schools, health facilities and sanitation infrastructure. He therefore cautioned against imposing a uniform market development model on districts with different population sizes, economic activities and existing infrastructure. “Development, especially a market development programme, cannot be one-size-fits-all,” Mr Asenso-Boakye said.

He argued that such an approach could undermine the principles of decentralisation by failing to adequately involve local authorities in determining the priorities of their communities. The Minority in Parliament has called for an immediate review of the government’s 24-Hour Market programme, describing its current approach as poorly planned and insufficiently tailored to the needs of individual communities. Ranking Member on the Local Government and Rural Development Committee, Francis Asenso-Boakye, said the Minority was not opposed to modern markets or extended trading hours where there was sufficient economic demand.

He, however, criticised what he described as a “one-size-fits-all” approach that fails to account for differences in population, economic activity, existing infrastructure and development priorities across districts. Addressing the media in Parliament on Monday, September 14, Mr Asenso-Boakye said government had not adequately demonstrated the needs assessments, feasibility studies and local development plans informing the projects. He argued that District Assemblies should have a central role in determining whether a community needs a new market or whether resources would be better directed towards roads, drainage, schools, health facilities or sanitation.