The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to suspend and comprehensively review its 24-Hour Economy Market Programme, citing concerns over planning, consultation, and the reported demolition of existing public and community infrastructure.
In a press statement issued on Monday, September 14, 2026, the Minority said it supported investment in modern markets and the operation of markets for extended hours where there was genuine economic demand.
However, it argued that the programme, as currently being implemented, appeared poorly conceived and disconnected from the development needs of several communities.
“The programme appears to be an afterthought, as it was not presented to Ghanaians as a nationwide market infrastructure programme in the governing party’s 2024 manifesto,” the statement said.
The Minority questioned the needs assessments, feasibility studies and local development plans guiding the construction of the markets across districts with different population sizes, economic activities and existing infrastructure.
It said some districts required new markets, while others needed existing facilities to be rehabilitated or expanded. Other communities, it added, had more urgent needs, including roads, drainage, schools, health facilities and sanitation infrastructure.
Concerns over demolitions
The Minority expressed particular concern about the reported demolition, or proposed demolition, of public and community assets to make way for the new markets.
It cited the Asesewa Market in the Upper Manya Krobo enclave, an astroturf under construction at Mamponteng in the Kwabre East Municipality, and the Nkenkaasu Market in the Offinso North District as examples of facilities reportedly affected by the programme.
According to the statement, a community bank facility at Aboabo had also reportedly been demolished, while a newly constructed school in the Ahafo Ano South West District had been marked for demolition.
The Minority further cited reports of a Magistrate Court in Nandom, the newly constructed Enchi Market, and the 70-year-old Tendamba Primary School in Wa being demolished or affected by the programme.
It also mentioned reported demolitions involving homes, shops, milling facilities and other commercial structures in communities including Poyentanga, Kasoa and Elubo.
The Minority said the developments raised questions about value for money, particularly at a time when the country was facing severe fiscal constraints.
“At a time of severe 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,” it said.
Programme must be demand-driven
The Minority maintained that the viability of a 24-hour market depended on more than the construction of a facility.
It said such markets required sufficient commercial activity, traders willing to operate at night, customers, security, transport, electricity, sanitation and water.
“These conditions differ from one district to another,” the statement said, arguing that the government should first determine what each community needed to strengthen its local economy.
The Minority also highlighted resistance from traders and residents in several communities, including Nungua, Kwabenya, Aiyinase, Ashaiman and Kokomba.
It said some traders had opposed the demolition of existing markets and proposed rehabilitation instead.
Calls for consultation
The Minority urged the government to undertake an immediate, comprehensive and non-partisan review of the programme.
It called for the initiative to be redesigned to make it needs-based and demand-driven, with projects implemented only where genuine demand had been established.
It further asked the government to allow district development plans to guide project selection, rehabilitate or expand existing markets where appropriate, and complete markets already under construction rather than demolishing or abandoning them.
The Minority also called for meaningful participation by District Assemblies, traders, traditional authorities, residents and other stakeholders in decisions concerning the location, design and operation of the markets.
It concluded that the government should pause the programme, listen to affected communities and ensure that public resources were protected.
“Build where there is a genuine need. Upgrade where that makes greater economic sense. Consult the project-affected people. Respect local development plans. Protect existing public assets. And protect the public purse!” the statement said.
The statement was signed by Francis Asenso-Boakye, Ranking Member of the Committee on Local Government and Rural Development, on behalf of the Minority in Parliament.
