The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to halt the demolition of existing markets and other public and community infrastructure to make way for projects under the 24-Hour Economy Market Programme.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, September 14, 2026, Francis Asenso-Boakye, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee, questioned the economic justification for demolishing functioning or recently constructed public facilities to build new markets.
Mr Asenso-Boakye cited the Nkenkaasu Market in the Offinso North District as one of the facilities the Minority says has been affected by the programme.
According to the Minority, the market was constructed and commissioned under former President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2007 and had served the community for years before it was reportedly demolished to make way for a 24-Hour Economy market.
The Minority also cited the Enchi Market in the Aowin Constituency, which it described as a newly constructed facility that had reportedly not yet been occupied before it was pulled down despite resistance from residents.
It questioned why public funds would be used to construct a facility only for another government programme to demolish it before it could be put to use.
Other facilities cited included an astroturf under construction at Mamponteng in the Kwabre East Municipality, which the Minority said had been demolished for the programme.
The Minority also alleged that a community bank facility at Aboabo and a Magistrate Court in Nandom had been demolished.
In the Ahafo Ano South West District in the Ashanti Region, the Minority said a newly constructed school had reportedly been earmarked for demolition to make way for a 24-Hour Economy market.
It said grading had already been carried out and foundation works had commenced within the school premises, describing the situation as particularly concerning.
The Minority questioned the decision to earmark a newly constructed educational facility for demolition at a time when many communities continue to require basic school infrastructure.
It said the development raised questions about planning, priorities and value for money in the implementation of the programme.
The Minority further cited the 70-year-old Tendamba Primary School in Wa, which it said had been pulled down, as well as the reported demolition of homes and shops at Poyentanga to create space for the proposed market.
Other locations mentioned were the Mankrong Market in the Agona East District, New Thursday Central Market in Wenchi, Abor Market in the Keta Municipality, commercial structures at the Kasoa New Market and a newly constructed storey building in Elubo.
According to the Minority, the cases point to broader concerns about the destruction of existing public and community assets in the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy Market Programme.
“At a time of severe fiscal constraints, Government must explain the economic justification for destroying useful and, in some cases, recently constructed public assets, only to spend scarce public resources replacing them,” the Minority stated.
The Minority stressed that it was not opposed to the development of modern markets but insisted that such projects must be guided by proper planning, consultation and value-for-money considerations.
“We cannot destroy useful public and community assets merely to replace them in the name of a new political programme,” it said.
The Minority therefore appealed to the government to protect existing public assets, deepen consultations with affected communities and ensure that public resources are used in ways that deliver the greatest benefit to citizens.
By:Rachael Djabakie