24-hour market: Who is actually in charge?

The 24-Hour Markets Project has left Ghanaian citizens with a perplexing question: who is truly responsible for its implementation? For months, the government has touted the construction of these markets across the country, specifically targeting Upper West Region municipalities. However, the 24H+ Programme document—a 287-page blueprint outlining the 24-Hour Economy initiative—only commits to constructing 24-hour fish markets within the fisheries value chain. No other comprehensive commitments to 24-hour markets nationwide are found within this document.

Despite this, the project has been marketed to the public as a cornerstone of the 24-Hour Economy agenda. The Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy recently stated that the project is not under his purview, claiming that the Ministry of Local Government is responsible and that the funds come from the District Assemblies Common Fund. This admission comes after the Ministry faced legal action over market demolitions, prompting a push to remove the secretariat's name from the lawsuits.

With these conflicting claims and a lack of transparency, the public is left questioning the government's authority over the project. The government cannot claim credit for the "24-Hour Markets" as a signature achievement of their flagship programme. It is crucial for Ghanaians to understand who is ultimately in charge of this initiative, particularly in light of the demolitions and legal battles surrounding it. The nation deserves to know who is truly driving the 24-Hour Markets Project.