The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to suspend and review aspects of its 24-Hour Economy Market Programme, describing the initiative as poorly planned and insufficiently aligned with the development needs of communities.
The Minority said it was not opposed to the construction and modernisation of markets or to markets operating for extended hours where there is genuine economic demand.
However, it expressed concern that the programme, in its current form, appears to be implemented without adequate needs assessments, feasibility studies and consultation with local stakeholders.
The Minority’s position was contained in a statement issued on Monday, September 14, 2026, by the Ranking Member of the Committee on Local Government and Rural Development, Francis Asenso-Boakye.
According to the Minority, the programme was not presented to Ghanaians in the governing party’s 2024 manifesto as a nationwide market infrastructure programme, but the government is now pursuing the construction of 24-hour economy markets across districts with different population sizes, economic activities and infrastructure needs.
It questioned what needs assessments and local development plans were guiding the selection of project sites.
The Minority argued that District Assemblies are the planning authorities within their jurisdictions and should therefore play a central role in determining development priorities.
“Development, especially a market development programme, cannot be one-size-fits-all,” it said.
The Minority raised particular concern over the reported demolition or proposed demolition of existing public and community assets to make way for some of the markets.
It cited several examples, including the Asesewa Market in the Upper Manya Krobo area, the astroturf under construction at Mamponteng in the Kwabre East Municipality, and the Nkenkaasu Market in the Offinso North District.
Other facilities mentioned include a community bank facility at Aboabo, a newly constructed school in the Ahafo Ano South West District and a Magistrate Court in Nandom in the Upper West Region.
The Minority also cited the demolition of the newly constructed Enchi Market in the Aowin Constituency, which it said had reportedly not yet been occupied by the community.
It further raised concerns over the demolition of the 70-year-old Tendamba Primary School in Wa, as well as homes and shops at Poyentanga to create space for a proposed 24-hour market.
Other affected areas cited include Mankrong in the Agona East District, Wenchi, Keta, Kasoa, Elubo, Nungua, Kwabenya, Aiyinase, Ashaiman and Kokomba.
According to the Minority, traders in several of these communities have resisted the proposed demolitions and, in some cases, called for existing markets to be rehabilitated instead.
It argued that the reported demolitions raise questions about planning and value for money, particularly at a time when the country is facing fiscal constraints.
“Government must explain the economic justification for destroying useful and, in some cases, recently constructed public assets, only to spend scarce public resources replacing them,” the statement said.
The Minority further argued that a market cannot become a viable 24-hour economic hub simply because it has been designated as such by government.
It said successful 24-hour markets require sufficient commercial activity, traders willing to operate at night, customers, security, transportation, electricity, sanitation, water and other supporting services.
These conditions, it noted, vary from one district to another.
The Minority therefore said the key question should not be where government can construct a 24-hour market, but what each community actually needs to strengthen its local economy.
It called for an immediate, comprehensive and non-partisan review of the programme and urged government to redesign it to be needs-based and demand-driven.
The Minority also called for District Development Plans to guide the selection of projects, while existing markets should be rehabilitated or expanded where that would make greater economic sense.
It further urged government to complete markets already under construction rather than abandon or demolish them.
The Minority said District Assemblies, traders, traditional authorities, residents and other relevant stakeholders must be meaningfully involved in decisions concerning the location, design and operation of the markets.
It stressed that investment in modern markets and stronger local economies was necessary but should be based on need, proper planning, consultation and value for money.
“We cannot preach decentralization while imposing development priorities from the centre,” the Minority said.
It urged the government to pause the implementation of projects where necessary, listen to affected communities and review the programme.
The Minority’s recommendations were summarised as: build where there is genuine need, upgrade where it makes greater economic sense, consult affected people, respect local development plans, protect existing public assets and protect the public purse.
