24-Hour Markets is not our responsibility – Goosie Tanoh distances Secretariat from project

Goosie Tanoh, the Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, has distanced his office from the government's controversial 24-Hour Markets project. He clarified that the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat has no role in market development and is not responsible for the project's decisions. "The 24-Hour Markets Project is not our responsibility. We are not involved in market development. We don’t know anything about that," Tanoh stated at a media briefing on August 19.

This comes as the project faces controversy, including disputes over the demolition of structures at locations intended for market development. Tanoh revealed that the Secretariat had been sued for these demolitions, despite asserting that they had no involvement. He noted that his legal team would seek to remove the Secretariat's name from the suits.

Tanoh explained that the project's responsibility lies with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. He further emphasized that the markets are funded through the District Assemblies Common Fund, a fact that further distances the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat from the project. "The markets are funded by the District Assemblies Common Fund. So, we have no jurisdiction over that," he stressed.

The clarification is expected to clarify the distinction between the 24-Hour Economy policy and the separate 24-Hour Markets initiative, which has garnered public attention due to concerns over site selection, demolition of existing structures, and involvement of local authorities.