The Minority in Parliament has clarified that it does not object to the construction and upgrading of markets across Ghana.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament regarding the 24-hour economy policy, the Member of Parliament for Bantama and Ranking Member on the Local Government and Rural Development Committee, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, emphasised that the caucus also accepts the concept of extended market hours provided genuine commercial demand exists.
However, he raised concerns over the execution of the initiative, describing the current rollout of the 24-hour market model as ill-conceived, inadequately planned, and out of touch with the realistic needs of local communities.
The Bantama MP suggested that the policy seems to have been hastily assembled, pointing out that it was omitted as a national market infrastructure scheme in the ruling party’s 2024 manifesto.
Hon. Asenso-Boakye criticised the blanket rollout of these facilities across districts, arguing that such projects are being pushed without due consideration for local population sizes, economic dynamics, existing facilities, or actual development priorities.
“This raises a basic question: What needs assessment, feasibility studies and local development plans are guiding these projects?” he quizzed.
He stressed that Ghana’s local governance framework intentionally designates District Assemblies as local planning authorities to guarantee that development aligns with grassroots needs.
Hon. Asenso-Boakye cautioned that enforcing a uniform market template across every district weakens the decentralisation process and threatens to squander public funds on unnecessary infrastructure.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
