24-hour economy market projects poorly planned, lacks consultation – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has questioned the government’s decision to demolish markets, schools and other public facilities to make way for the construction of 24-hour economy markets.

Ranking Member on the Local Government and Decentralisation Committee, Francis Asenso-Boakye, said the programme appeared poorly conceived and lacked adequate consultation.

He said the government was pursuing the projects across districts without sufficient consideration of population sizes, economic activities, existing infrastructure and local development needs.

Addresing a press conference on Monday, September 14, the Bantama MP stressed that the Minority is not opposed to the construction and modernisation of markets.

He said the Minority also supports markets operating for extended hours where there is genuine economic demand.

However, Asenso-Boakye said concerns have arisen over the manner in which the programme was being implemented, particularly the reported demolition of existing public facilities to create space for the projects.

“Our concern, however, is that 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.

He questioned whether adequate assessments and feasibility studies had been conducted before the projects were rolled out.

According to him, the flagship 24-hour economy policy was not presented to Ghanaians as a nationwide market infrastructure programme in the NDC’s 2024 manifesto.