ELS; MBN360 POLITICS
Minority Caucus
The Minority in Parliament has called on government to conduct a comprehensive review of the 24-Hour Economy programme.
Speaking at a media press conference, the Minority raised questions over the demolition of markets, schools, homes and other public facilities under the programme. The Caucus argued that the approach risks wasting public resources while displacing facilities that continue to serve communities.
The Member of Parliament for Bantama, Honourable Francis Asenso-Boakye, outlined several instances where existing or recently completed infrastructure had reportedly been earmarked for demolition. He argued that such actions require greater scrutiny, particularly at a time when the country faces significant fiscal constraints.
The Minority pointed to reports involving markets and public facilities across several regions, including an existing market earmarked for replacement and a school reportedly facing demolition to accommodate a proposed market. The Caucus also referenced the reported demolition of a newly constructed market that had not yet been occupied by its intended users.
Honourable Asenso-Boakye questioned the rationale for replacing infrastructure that remains useful to communities. He argued that government must demonstrate that the proposed developments justify the destruction and replacement of existing public assets.
“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.”Honourable Francis Asenso-Boakye,
The Minority also raised issues involving community facilities, commercial structures and homes reportedly being displaced to create space for the initiative. He noted that traders in some areas had resisted proposed demolitions, with the Caucus viewing the protests as an indication that affected communities require meaningful consultation.
Additionally, Honourable Asenso-Boakye questioned the suitability of imposing similar projects across districts without sufficient consideration of their individual development priorities. He maintained that such an approach could undermine the principles of decentralisation and weaken local planning.
The Minority therefore called for greater transparency in decisions surrounding the selection of sites for the 24-Hour Economy markets. The Caucus wants government to account for the public assets being demolished and explain how the replacements will deliver sufficient economic value.
Honourable Asenso-Boakye stressed that the issue extends beyond individual demolition exercises. For the Minority, the reported pattern raises fundamental questions about planning, consultation and the responsible use of public funds.
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Minority Demands Demand Driven Planning For 24-Hour Economy Markets
The Minority in Parliament also urged government to make the 24-Hour Economy market initiative demand driven instead of applying a uniform model across districts.
The Caucus argued that a market cannot become economically viable simply because it has been designated for 24-hour operations. It believes government must first establish whether local economic conditions can support sustained commercial activity beyond conventional trading hours.
The Member of Parliament for Bantama, Honourable Francis Asenso-Boakye, outlined several conditions he considers essential for successful 24-hour markets. These include sufficient commercial activity, traders willing to operate at night, customers, security, transport, electricity, sanitation and reliable water services.
He explained that these requirements will vary considerably from one district to another. The Minority therefore believes local development needs should determine the type and scale of intervention instead of imposing essentially identical projects across communities.
“A 24-hour economy market initiative must be demand-driven and must respond to demand. A market does not become a viable 24-hour market simply because government calls it one.”Honourable Francis Asenso-Boakye,
The Caucus argued that the planning process must begin with an assessment of what each community actually requires to strengthen its local economy. Honourable Asenso-Boakye consequently challenged policymakers to shift the focus from identifying locations for construction to determining the economic needs of the communities involved.
He proposed that government should assess existing commercial infrastructure before committing resources to new facilities. Such an assessment, in the Minority’s view, could help prevent unnecessary duplication and ensure that public funds are directed towards areas where additional investment can generate meaningful economic activity.
The Minority also linked the issue to decentralisation and local development planning. Honourable Asenso-Boakye argued that district specific circumstances must be considered because communities differ in population, commercial demand, infrastructure and the services required to sustain overnight trading.
Furthermore, the Caucus cautioned that the success of the initiative cannot be measured by the number of markets constructed. It argued that the programme should instead be assessed by whether the facilities attract traders, customers and sustained economic activity throughout the day and night.
The Minority therefore called for a more evidence-based approach to the programme. Honourable Asenso-Boakye believes sound development planning requires government to identify what communities need first and design interventions around those needs.
For the Caucus, such an approach would help ensure that the 24-Hour Economy initiative strengthens local economies without placing unnecessary pressure on public finances. It would also allow government to tailor projects to the realities of individual districts instead of relying on a one size fits all model.
