Mr. Patrick Kwame Frimpong, the First Vice-President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) and Dean of the Ashanti Conference of Presiding Members, has appealed to the government to reconsider its decision to construct 24-hour economy markets in every district, warning that they are likely to be abandoned by traders.
According to him, several markets across the country remain uncompleted, including the Kumasi Central Market Phase II project, Krofrom Market and Mampongteng Market.
He said, “Unfortunately, in the Ashanti Region alone, a number of markets have been completed, but traders are not using them, making them virtually empty.
He mentioned the Adoato-Adumanu Market, Patasi Market, Abinkyi Market, Kwadaso Estate Market, Asafo Market, Kropo Market and Asawase Market. Speaking to The Chronicle, Mr. Frimpong, who is also the Presiding Member of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), decried the lack of proper consultation with relevant stakeholders before the ongoing construction of 24-hour markets in various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country.
He noted that it should not be compulsory for every district to have a 24-hour market, stressing that markets do not provide essential services like health facilities and schools.
He indicated that many traders already prefer selling by the roadside despite available spaces in several markets stressing that if care is not taken, the markets will be completed but will not function.
Mr. Frimpong said residents of Kumasi and the Ashanti Region in general are known for trading, yet many markets have been abandoned by traders who, despite efforts to get them to patronise the facilities, continue to sell on the streets. He added that, these 24-hour markets may be completed, but expressed fear that the traders will abandon them, and render them white elephants.
According to him, the 24-hour economy is a potentially transformative initiative, but its success will depend on proper planning, consultation, financing, infrastructure and consideration of local economic realities.
The NALAG Vice President said the immediate priority should not be limited to building and operating uniformly designed markets in all MMDAs to fulfil a campaign promise of a 24-hour economy.
He emphasize that we should rather ensure that markets are economically viable, safe, accessible, clean, well-managed and capable of generating sustainable economic benefits.
He, therefore, urged the government to reconsider a blanket directive and work closely with MMDAs, traders and other stakeholders to develop a flexible and sustainable implementation framework.
He stated that the central message is, Ghana’s markets must not only operate for 24 hours; they must create value for 24 hours. “This approach will help protect public investment, improve the utilisation of existing market infrastructure, reduce waste, and ensure that the 24-hour economy delivers meaningful benefits to communities and local businesses”, he said.
Mr. Frimpong clarified that as a local government practitioner, his position is not a rejection of the government’s 24-hour economy policy, but a call for the 24-hour market component to be reviewed, localised and implemented according to the circumstances of each district.
He admitted that the 24-hour economy policy has the potential to create jobs, expand economic opportunities and increase productivity. The local government expert argued that a uniform directive requiring all markets to be built in a single design and operate 24 hours may not be practical or economically sustainable in every locality.
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