The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to undertake a comprehensive review of the 24-Hour Market programme to ensure its implementation reflects the actual needs and demands of communities across the country.
The Minority argues that the programme must be redesigned to prioritise areas where there is a genuine need for new market infrastructure, while ensuring that existing markets are rehabilitated and ongoing projects are completed.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, September 14, Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, said the government must move away from a uniform approach to the programme and instead consider the unique circumstances and development priorities of individual districts.
He stressed the need for deeper consultations with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and other relevant stakeholders before decisions are made on the construction of new markets.
According to him, existing district development plans should also play a central role in determining where 24-Hour Market projects are located.
“We in the Minority on behalf of the good people of Ghana call on the government to have a look at the 24-Hour Market programme design and deepen consultation by undertaking an immediate, comprehensive and nonpartisan review.”
He said such a review would help ensure that the programme is driven by genuine community needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
“The programme should be redesigned to be needs-based and demand-driven and implemented only where a genuine need has been established.”
Mr Asenso-Boakye further urged the government to prioritise the completion and rehabilitation of existing market infrastructure instead of constructing new facilities in areas where there may be limited demand.
“Development plans must guide the selection of the project and existing markets should be rehabilitated where necessary and markets already under construction should be completed rather than abandoned.”
The Minority maintained that a needs-based approach would help prevent the inefficient use of public funds and ensure that investments under the 24-Hour Market programme deliver tangible benefits to communities.
