Cape coast: Mr. Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Central Regional Minister, has directed Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region to immediately reposition themselves to leverage the government's 24-Hour Economy policy. This directive includes the identification and designation of local economic zones that will operate for extended hours, along with improvements in street lighting and security in commercial areas.
According to Ghana News Agency, the minister emphasized the need for assemblies to facilitate permits for night-time operations and to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with necessary infrastructure and logistics to enhance their activities. The 24-Hour Economy policy, a flagship government initiative, aims to boost productivity, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth by encouraging companies and institutions to operate around the clock in sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, retail, health, and public services.
Mr. Eduamoah further urged MMDAs to align their local development plans with the national agenda to attract support from the central government and the private sector. These directives were issued at his first meeting with members of the Central Regional Coordinating Council in Cape Coast, where they discussed various development issues in sectors like health, education, security, and the economy.
The minister highlighted the potential of the 24-Hour Economy policy to unlock economic opportunities in the region and reduce youth unemployment. He stressed the significance of agriculture and agro-processing to the Ghanaian economy and advocated for increased investment in these sectors, noting that agriculture supports over 60 percent of households in the Central Region.
Addressing infrastructure, Mr. Eduamoah announced ongoing efforts to construct and improve critical roads, prioritizing those connecting markets and agricultural zones. He instructed MMDCEs to use DRIP equipment for road maintenance and urged them to prevent unregulated development along the Accra-Takoradi Highway to facilitate smooth road dualization.
The minister also expressed concerns about illegal mining, or galamsey, and its impact on the region. He criticized some local executives for their involvement in the practice and announced the formation of a committee by the Regional Security Council to reclaim lands for agriculture. He urged district chief executives to support these efforts to enhance food security and job creation.
