Accra, Ghana – The President of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Hon. Alfred Asiedu Adjei (PAAJOE), has charged Presiding Members and Assembly Members across Ghana’s 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to assert their statutory authority and ensure that the implementation of the Government’s 24-hour market programme complies with due process, planning requirements and participatory local governance.

The NALAG President’s intervention follows reports from parts of the country that existing buildings and other facilities are being demolished or earmarked for demolition to make way for proposed 24-hour market projects.

While welcoming the 24-hour economy initiative and its potential to create jobs, stimulate local economic activity, expand commerce and improve livelihoods, Hon. Adjei cautioned that the pursuit of development must not undermine the statutory authority of Assemblies or bypass communities affected by such projects.

“The Assembly is not a rubber stamp; it is the highest political authority at the local level,” he stressed.

Assembly Members Must Stand Up and Be Counted

Hon. Adjei said Assembly Members were elected to represent the interests of their constituents and must therefore not become passive spectators when major development decisions affecting their communities are taken.

Referencing the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), he noted that the District Assembly is the highest political authority within the district and exercises political, administrative, deliberative, legislative and executive functions.

Assemblies also have responsibility for the overall development of their districts, including local economic development, infrastructure, municipal services, human settlements and environmental management.

“These are not ceremonial responsibilities. They are statutory responsibilities,” he said.

The NALAG President therefore urged Assembly Members to demand adequate information and documentation whenever major development projects are proposed within their jurisdictions.

He said questions must be asked about land ownership, project location, planning status, development permits, technical assessments, environmental and social implications, community impact, alternative locations and arrangements for persons who may be affected.

The MMDCE Is Not the Assembly

Hon. Adjei also called for a clear appreciation of the respective responsibilities of MMDCEs, Assembly Members and professional officers within Ghana’s decentralised governance structure.

While MMDCEs have executive and administrative responsibilities, he said this does not reduce the Assembly to an audience for decisions taken elsewhere.

“The Assembly remains the highest political authority at the local level. The MCE has executive and administrative responsibilities, while the Assembly exercises its statutory political, deliberative, legislative and executive functions within the law,” he stated.

He further stressed the importance of professional advice from planners, engineers, environmental officers and other technocrats in guiding sound decision-making.

“The technocrats advise; the Assembly exercises its statutory authority. Assembly Members must therefore scrutinise, deliberate, question and protect the public interest,” he said.

No Blank Cheques for Demolition

The NALAG President cautioned against the demolition of existing schools, markets, banks, commercial facilities or other structures without adequate due diligence and compliance with applicable planning and legal requirements.

Where demolition becomes necessary for a proposed 24-hour market project, he said Assembly Members must establish why the particular location was selected, who owns the land, what permits have been obtained, what technical assessments have been conducted and whether alternative locations were considered.

They must also seek clarity on the future of existing occupants and businesses, compensation or resettlement arrangements where applicable, traffic and drainage implications, environmental concerns and public safety.

Communities Must Be Consulted

Hon. Adjei placed community participation at the centre of responsible implementation of the programme, arguing that people should not wake up to discover that major decisions have already been taken about their neighbourhoods, businesses, land or public facilities.

“The community cannot simply be told, ‘Government is bringing a 24-hour market here.’ The people deserve to know what is being proposed, why the location was selected, what will happen to existing structures and businesses, and how the development will affect their lives and livelihoods,” he said.

He described consultation not as a favour to citizens but as an essential principle of responsible local governance and, where applicable, a legal requirement.

Development Must Follow Due Process

The NALAG President further called for compliance with the relevant planning and permitting framework, stressing that the national importance of a project should not become grounds for circumventing established procedures.

“No political enthusiasm should replace planning approval. No urgency should replace due process. And no national programme should be used as a justification for ignoring local governance and planning procedures,” he stated.

He argued that major infrastructure projects can be implemented expeditiously without sacrificing consultation, scrutiny or legality.

“A project can be fast and still be lawful. A project can be ambitious and still be consultative. A project can be politically important and still be subjected to scrutiny,” he said.

Presiding Members Charged to Provide Leadership

Hon. Adjei placed particular responsibility on Presiding Members to ensure that matters of significant public interest are properly brought before their Assemblies for deliberation.

He urged them to ensure that questions relating to the siting of 24-hour markets, demolition of structures, land ownership, planning approvals, community displacement, environmental considerations, compensation and project design are properly discussed and recorded.

“Do not allow silence to become your legacy,” he charged.

Assembly Members, he added, should not be intimidated by the scale or political significance of projects.

“Do not become spectators in your own Assembly. Do not allow your communities to be bypassed,” he said.

Support Development, But Protect the Public Interest

NALAG’s position, according to its President, is not opposition to the 24-hour market initiative. Rather, the Association wants the programme implemented in a manner that reinforces decentralisation, strengthens local institutions and protects citizens.

“Support development, but demand lawful development. Support the 24-hour market agenda, but demand proper planning. Support modern infrastructure, but demand due diligence. Support investment, but demand accountability. Support progress, but protect the people whose lives will be affected by that progress,” he said.

Hon. Adjei said the success of the programme should therefore extend beyond the number of markets constructed to include meaningful community participation, proper spatial planning, transparent decision-making, environmental sustainability, protection of livelihoods, public safety, value for money and accountability.

NALAG Issues National Charge to 261 MMDAs

Concluding, the NALAG President called on Presiding Members and Assembly Members nationwide to insist on technical documentation, planning processes, community consultation, due diligence, transparency and accountability wherever a 24-hour market is proposed.

“Presiding Members must preside. Assembly Members must deliberate. The Assembly must exercise its statutory authority. Technocrats must provide professional advice. The people must be heard. And development must proceed within the law,” he stated.

He ended with a direct charge to local elected representatives:

“Stand up. Speak up. Scrutinize. Deliberate. And protect the public interest.”

“Do not be a rubber stamp. Be the voice of your people.”

“The development of Ghana must be lawful, inclusive, consultative and accountable.”