It is unfortunate and politically incorrect to cloud the 24-hour economy market projects being undertaken by the district and municipal assemblies with partisan politics, as the funding and projects are intended to serve the interests of local communities.
The projects are envisaged to encompass complexes comprising apartments, hospitals, pharmacies, and other facilities, creating one-stop centres for commercial and related activities.
The policy is primarily for the district and municipal assemblies and is separate from the national secretariat of the 24-hour economy project.
The President of the Chamber of Local Government, Dr. Richard Fiadomor, made these remarks on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor FM 92.3, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
Dr. Fiadomor reiterated the need to view the projects as economic hubs capable of transforming local economies by facilitating commerce and the marketing of goods and services throughout the day and night.
According to him, the assemblies are undertaking the projects as part of their core initiatives to create platforms for transforming local economies and contributing to national development. He therefore called for partisan politics to be kept out of flagship projects intended to promote economic development.
AMA Responds to Allegations Over Agbogbloshie Redevelopment
In a related development, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has rejected allegations that it is targeting the Konkomba community in the redevelopment of Agbogbloshie for a proposed 24-hour market.
The Assembly said the project has been preceded by more than three months of consultations with affected traders and other stakeholders. According to the AMA, it has engaged traditional authorities, market leaders, traders, and occupants within the project area to discuss the redevelopment, including land requirements, the movement of traders, and measures to minimise disruption to existing businesses.
The clarification follows allegations by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament that the AMA had marked virtually every shop and residential structure occupied by members of the Konkomba community for demolition while leaving other sections of Agbogbloshie untouched.
The Bimbilla Member of Parliament and former Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, who led the Minority Caucus to inspect the area, described the alleged pattern as discriminatory and called on President John Dramani Mahama to stop the planned demolition. He also accused the AMA of failing to adequately engage traders ahead of the redevelopment.
However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16, the AMA said consultations began on July 9, when the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, briefed the Ga Mantse and the Ga Traditional Council on the project.
The Assembly said it subsequently engaged Agbogbloshie traders, the Yam Market leadership, and traditional leaders, leading to the formation of a nine-member committee to support the consultation process.
According to the AMA, approximately four acres of land are required for the project, with 3.2 acres identified so far, including 0.48 acres within the existing Yam Market.
The Assembly said a one-month notice, ending August 31, was subsequently issued to traders and occupants within parts of the identified project area.
The AMA insists that the project is not intended to arbitrarily displace traders and says discussions will continue to protect affected livelihoods while facilitating the redevelopment.
It added that separate engagements have also been held with the leadership and representatives of the Yam Market regarding the affected portion of land.
The Assembly said there is currently an understanding among the parties on the need for continued dialogue and consultation throughout the implementation of the project.
It further stated that arrangements affecting existing traders would be handled through direct engagement with their recognised leadership, while information on major project decisions would continue to be communicated through established stakeholder structures.
The AMA said the proposed 24-hour market is expected to provide modern infrastructure to support extended commercial activity, improve sanitation and safety, better organise trading, and create employment and economic opportunities in Accra.