Political analyst Charles Owusu has told President John Dramani Mahama to prioritise healthcare and indispensable social infrastructure over his government’s 24-hour market initiative.
According to Charles Owusu, hospitals, schools, and water facilities are more critical to survival than markets.
Charles Owusu admitted that although the initiative may be part of the government’s broader policy agenda he insisted that district hospitals should take precedence over markets.
Speaking on a panel discussion on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Charles Owusu stated, “Because of interest, we keep quiet when we know what the government is doing is wrong and won’t help us. You can’t survive without facilities like water, hospitals, schools, but you can survive without a market.
How can we have construction of markets as a priority? We’ve left construction of hospitals and we’re constructing 24-hour economy markets”.
“It’s okay even if it is a policy of government, but government should prioritise district hospitals over markets. We plead with the President to seek life first,” he added.
Also, a chief in Asebu, Central Region has questioned the essence of a 24-Hour Economy market, arguing that residents in the Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese District are predominantly farmers.
According to the Chief, the Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese District is predominantly farmers, arguing that a 24-Hour Economy Market is not something they need in their district.
He further argued that none of his people will wake up at midnight just to buy koobi.
Speaking during a durbar aired by Mfantseman Radio shared on social media, the Chief stated, “A 24-Hour Economy Market is not something we need in our district. Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese District are predominantly agriculture district; we grow cassava, maize, and oranges. I don’t even know where they are taking the market. I don’t think anyone would wake up at midnight to buy koobi”.
Some Ghanaians reacting to the Chief’s comments stated, “I think Mahama should gather the chiefs and send them on an excursion to other countries with similar ideas to see how these policies work. Most of these chiefs have never been outside of their community”.
One X user added, “If I speak my mind now Ghana police might come for me because how can you say this in 21st century, it’s difficult to help people who do not even know what help is, bad mental attitude, preliminary thinkers, it’s sad man”.
A netizen added, “This man needs education about what the 24 Hour Market Concept is about. I won’t blame him because maybe he doesn’t understand the 24hr economy concept as a whole. The NPP went behind market women to fight against the Kejetia market project in 2016. It’s now the biggest in Ghana”.
“I used to have hope in Ghana developing, but with the mindset of people like this and politics, we will never develop; we will even become worse than Nigeria and South Africa”, a netizen added.
One X user added, “Oh but nobody said the 24-Hour Economy means everyone must shop at midnight. The question is whether farmers, processors, transporters and businesses should have more opportunities to operate beyond the normal 8–5. In a farming district, that can actually be where the policy makes the most sense in my opinion”.
“Same kind of old folks that said Tema motorway is not needed because by the. residents in Tema were so few
Others said we don’t need Akosombo dam … This chief is dangerous to his peoples development..”, a netizen added.
Meanwhile, the 24-Hour Markets initiative forms part of the broader 24-Hour Economy agenda, aims to establish modern markets across all districts to expand economic opportunities, boost productivity, and create jobs.
President Mahama has labeled the policy as a key intervention to stimulate commerce and provide decent trading spaces nationwide.
“Markets are the lifeblood of trading and economic activity and so every district should have a decent place where people can come and do business. Farmers can bring their produce to come and sell,” Mahama stated.
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