Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised concerns over the government’s implementation of its 24-hour economy programme, alleging that contracts under the initiative are being channelled to individuals linked to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to him, some party executives who lack the technical expertise and financial capacity to undertake the projects are allegedly receiving contracts and subsequently transferring them to private businessmen in exchange for a percentage.
“The NDC government is selling the 24-Hour Economy Markets contracts. These contracts have been allocated to party executives who are selling the contracts and taking their percentages,” he alleged in an interview on Accra-based Atink TV.
Mr Afenyo-Markin argued that the alleged arrangement raises questions about transparency and value for money in the implementation of one of the government’s flagship policy initiatives.
He stressed that his criticism was not directed at the concept of 24-hour markets itself but rather at what he described as misplaced priorities in the government’s approach to development.
The Minority Leader said government should first address critical gaps in the country’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly unfinished projects under the Agenda 111 initiative.
“I am not saying 24-hour markets are not good,” he said, arguing that the government should consider the immediate needs of citizens when deciding which projects deserve priority.
He questioned the decision to pursue new market infrastructure while several health facilities remain incomplete and existing hospitals continue to face pressure from rising demand.
According to him, inadequate access to healthcare is contributing to preventable deaths, particularly in communities where residents lack nearby health facilities.
“There are no health facilities, and there is pressure on the existing facilities. People are dying quietly because there are no health facilities,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin’s comments come amid broader debate over the implementation, financing and procurement processes surrounding the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
His allegations, if substantiated, could intensify calls for greater transparency in the award and execution of contracts under the programme.
He maintained that government must align its development spending with the most urgent needs of the population, insisting that healthcare infrastructure should receive greater attention before resources are committed to new 24-hour economy markets.
