Members of the Minority on Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee have urged the government to reconsider the funding allocation for the proposed 24-Hour Market initiative. They suggest that some of the resources be redirected towards completing halted health infrastructure projects under the Agenda 111 programme.
This appeal was made during a capacity-building workshop for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) held in Accra.
Concerns Regarding Underutilised Market Projects
The Committee’s Ranking Member, Francis Asenso-Boakye, contended that in several districts nationwide, existing market infrastructure remains underutilised. He asserted that constructing additional 24-hour markets in such areas may not constitute the most efficient use of public resources.
He pointed out that although the 24-Hour Market initiative is designed to stimulate local commerce and extend trading hours, its implementation should be meticulously assessed at the district level to prevent redundancy of facilities that are not urgently required.
Advocacy for Prioritising Health Infrastructure
Rather than investing in new market facilities in areas already adequately served, the Minority advocates for heightened attention to healthcare delivery infrastructure, particularly the completion of hospitals under the Agenda 111 project.
The Agenda 111 initiative, launched to enhance access to healthcare facilities across the country, has encountered delays in implementation, with several projects reportedly still in various stages of completion.
Asenso-Boakye stressed that reallocating funds from less critical infrastructure in certain districts could expedite the provision of essential health services to communities in urgent need.
Credit:Obuasi News
