The Minority members on Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee have called on the government to redirect funds earmarked for the 24-Hour Market initiative in areas where such facilities may not be needed towards completing abandoned Agenda 111 hospital projects.

Speaking at a capacity-building workshop for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Accra, the Ranking Member on the Committee, Francis Asenso-Boakye, argued that several districts already have existing markets that are underutilised.

He said investing additional resources into new markets in such areas would not represent the best use of public funds, especially when critical health infrastructure projects remain incomplete.

“As District Assembly officials and political actors, you are supposed to build 24-Hour Markets but I have realised that in many districts, they do not really need the 24-Hour Markets because there are existing markets already which are underutilised,” he stated.

“I was asking the Health Minister whether he will make a case that in situations where you don’t need these 24-Hour Markets, can we invest the money in other areas which will certainly include the provision of healthcare infrastructure like the Agenda 111,” Mr. Asenso-Boakye added.

The comments reflect ongoing debates about prioritising national development projects and ensuring public resources are allocated where they deliver the greatest impact. The Minority’s position highlights the tension between flagship government initiatives and the need to address pressing gaps in healthcare infrastructure.