Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has criticised the government’s approach to the implementation of the 24-hour economy, arguing that public funds should not be used primarily to construct markets under the initiative.

According to him, the government’s focus should instead be on creating the conditions that will encourage businesses and consumers to participate in economic activities at night.

“Government does not, for me, have a business going to build markets. I don’t subscribe to that one,” Mr Amoah said.

He argued that constructing physical infrastructure without addressing key barriers to night-time economic activity, including inadequate security and street lighting, could result in public funds being wasted.

“You can build an ultra-modern market in a village; if their culture and subculture is to sleep by 6 pm, that market will be there in ruins. You would have wasted all that money, all that effort,” he said.

Mr Amoah said government should instead create an environment in which businesses can operate beyond the traditional working day without exposing workers and customers to unnecessary risks.

“Create the environment such that if I could afford to get home at nine and I can do two more hours outside,” he said.

He noted that businesses such as salons, pharmacies and shops could benefit from increased economic activity at night if the necessary conditions were provided.

Call for stronger night-time security

Mr Amoah also called for improved security and street lighting, arguing that many Ghanaians remain reluctant to go out at night because of fears of robbery and other criminal activity.

He urged the police to increase their presence at night and called for better lighting in communities and along major roads.

“The number of men you put out there in the daytime, double it at night. We don’t want just the stop police checkpoints. We want to see them,” he said.

According to him, improved security would give people the confidence to park their vehicles, shop, eat out and engage in other economic activities after dark without fear.

Incentives to drive night-time activity

Mr Amoah further suggested the use of incentives to stimulate demand during off-peak hours, including encouraging businesses to offer selected goods and services at lower prices at night.

He said the 24-hour economy should therefore not be reduced to the construction of physical facilities, but supported by policies that make the additional 12 hours economically productive.

“The other 12-hour period is wasted because it’s dark,” Mr Amoah said.

He called on the government to rethink and reprogramme its approach to the 24-hour economy to deliver visible changes that would encourage more Ghanaians to participate in the night-time economy.