The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, says the government’s decision to begin the rollout of the 24-hour economy policy with market infrastructure is grounded in the daily economic realities and livelihood patterns of residents in the region.
Mr. Atanga announced that each district in the Upper East Region will benefit from the construction of a 24-hour market under the flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative being championed by President John Dramani Mahama. He made this known during a press encounter at the Regional Residency, where he outlined the government’s strategy for translating the policy into tangible benefits for local communities.
According to the Regional Minister, markets present a natural entry point for round-the-clock economic activity, even with minimal initial investment. “So now, if you come, it is your duty to see which activity and which strategy you are going to put in place so that the 24-hour fever will reach out to everyone,” he said, adding that markets align directly with the interests and economic behavior of the people.
Mr. Atanga noted that many market centers across the region already operate informally beyond standard business hours, with traders remaining active late into the night. “When you go to market centers, you see that people don’t even really close. They are always around there,” he said, stressing that formalizing and upgrading these spaces makes it easier to integrate the 24-hour economy concept into everyday life.
He emphasized that development planning must be rooted in the livelihoods of the people. “You have to look at the people, what they are interested in, what will attract them, before you can come up with projects,” he explained, noting that this thinking informed the decision to prioritize market infrastructure as the first strategic intervention.
Describing the approach as deliberate and practical, the Regional Minister said the government has consciously moved to shift the 24-hour economy from theory to reality. “That is why, for the first strategy, we started with the market. When we start from that, we will come up with other strategies,” he said.
Mr. Atanga clarified that the 24-hour economy initiative goes beyond markets, stressing that the market project is only one component of a broader plan that will eventually cover other sectors and economic activities aimed at boosting employment, productivity, and income generation across the region.
He expressed confidence that once 24-hour markets are established in every district, it will be easier to expand the policy to other areas of the economy, ensuring broader participation and long-term sustainability.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
