The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has questioned the rationale behind the government’s 24-hour market initiative, arguing that the construction of markets alone will not automatically lead to round-the-clock economic activity.
According to the Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, the government must address the underlying factors that limit nighttime trading rather than focus on building market infrastructure.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Oppong Nkrumah cited trading patterns in his constituency, noting that market activities often wind down early despite existing facilities.
“In Ofoase Ayirebi, the market day is once a week. On the other days, by 5pm and 8pm, people have started packing. So what makes you think that merely by constructing a 24-hour market now, people will trade for 24 hours?” he questioned.
He argued that issues such as consumer demand, business viability, security and general economic conditions must be considered in implementing the policy.
“Do you think the reason economic activity doesn’t hold on during the night is because there are no lights and security?” he asked.
The former Information Minister also criticised the government’s decision to prioritise the 24-hour market concept while abandoning some initiatives introduced by the previous administration, including the Automotive Industrial Development Policy and the One District One Factory (1D1F) programme.
He questioned the basis for using taxpayers’ money on new interventions while, according to him, existing policies aimed at industrial growth were being discontinued.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah further accused the government of failing to fulfil campaign promises, particularly the completion of the Agenda 111 hospital project.
He said President John Dramani Mahama pledged during the campaign to complete Agenda 111 to create employment opportunities for nurses, adding that the Constitution also places an obligation on every government to complete projects it inherits.
“Mahama during his campaign promised nurses that he would complete Agenda 111 so that they will get jobs. That was his commitment and the Constitution also puts that imperative on you to complete it when you are in power,” he said.
The Ofoase Ayirebi MP attributed delays in completing government projects to what he described as poor management of revenue measures.
He also questioned the progress of the government’s flagship programmes, including the Nkoko Nkitinkitin initiative, which he said was intended to reduce Ghana’s poultry import bill.
“The data shows otherwise because the policy is not being funded. Their other programmes, they are not even able to fund it,” he added.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah concluded that the government’s current approach amounted to moving in circles rather than addressing the country’s economic challenges.
“Per the data, where we are headed to as a country, we are only running around in circles,” he said.
READ ALSO:
NDC has abandoned promised 24-hour economy – Oppong Nkrumah
Mid-year budget review: Don’t take any new promises seriously – Oppong Nkrumah to Ghanaians
