‎Don’t use force in setting 24-Hour markets – Okyere Baafi to gov’t

‎The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee and New Juaben South MP, Okyere Baafi, has called for extensive consultations with traditional authorities and communities before the government selects locations for its proposed 24-hour markets.
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‎Speaking with TV3, on August 17, 2026, Baafi said early engagement with chiefs, opinion leaders and other stakeholders would help prevent land disputes and delays in implementing the projects.
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‎He said the government must consider the complexities surrounding land ownership when identifying suitable locations.
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‎He noted that “the government must engage chiefs and traditional authorities early in the process, particularly because of the complexities surrounding land ownership in some parts of the country.”
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‎According to him, proper consultation would also help the government identify locations with fewer disputes.
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‎“More means that they should look for a place that has less controversy,” he said.
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‎Baafi further stressed that chiefs and traditional authorities should be actively involved in deciding where the markets are established, rather than being informed after decisions have already been made.
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‎He also called for the involvement of opinion leaders, saying their knowledge of local communities could help government identify suitable sites and address concerns before construction begins.
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‎“More means that the chiefs must be involved. More means that opinion leaders must be involved.”
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‎The New Juaben South MP cautioned the government against using force to establish the markets, warning that such an approach could create unnecessary conflicts.
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‎“Government must do a lot of consultations and they must not use force to set up markets because if they do that, it will create a lot of problems,” he stated.
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According to him, the two programmes should not be confused, explaining that the 24-hour market initiative specifically focuses on developing markets capable of operating around the clock.
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‎He believes careful site selection and broader stakeholder engagement will help reduce disputes and ensure the projects are implemented smoothly.
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‎The 24-hour economy is a strategic governance and economic policy designed to promote round-the-clock productivity, manufacturing, and service delivery through a multi-shift work system. Rather than just working longer hours, it provides a supportive framework, including financial incentives, security, and digital public services, to help businesses operate 24/7.