By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Sept. 14, GNA—The New Patriotic Party Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the government of allegedly undermining the principles of decentralisation in the implementation of its flagship 24-Hour Markets programme being rolled out across districts.
Addressing a press conference on Monday in Parliament House, Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, said while the initiative was intended to improve trading infrastructure and stimulate local economic activity, its current implementation risks imposing a uniform development model on districts without regard for their specific needs and development plans.
“The 24-Hour Markets programme cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution. To impose the same project across districts without adequate regard for their development plans undermines the very principles of decentralisation,” Mr Asenso-Boakye stated.
He criticised what he described as inadequate consultation with district authorities before decisions are taken on the location, design, and implementation of the markets.
“Even more disturbing is the demolition or proposed demolition of existing public and community infrastructure to make way for some of these 24-Hour Markets. The examples emerging across the country raise serious questions about planning, consultation, and value for money,” he added.
The 24-Hour Markets project is a flagship government intervention aimed at providing decent, organised trading centers for traders, farmers, producers, and consumers across the country to support economic activity within local communities.
But the Minority argues that the objectives of the programme should not override the role of local authorities in determining development priorities.
The Caucus is therefore calling for a comprehensive, non-partisan review of the programme to ensure it is needs-based and demand-driven.
“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,” Mr Asenso-Boakye said.
“The programme should be redesigned to be needs-based and demand-driven and implemented only where a genuine need has been established. 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.”
He stressed that the government should rely on existing district development plans and deepen engagement with local authorities and stakeholders before constructing new markets to ensure value for money and that public resources are channelled to areas with genuine need for new market infrastructure.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Email: [email protected]