Mfantsiman MP Ebenezer Arhin Banished From Key Community in Constituency Over 24-Hour Economy Market
- Nkusukum chiefs have banned their MP, Dr Ebenezer Arhin, for alleged disrespect and market project discrepancies
- Traditional rituals were conducted to invoke gods against the MP's presence on Nkusukum land
- The dispute centres on the controversial change of location for the 24-hour economy market initiative
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The Nkusukum Traditional Council has performed traditional rituals, including the pouring of libation, to ban the MP for the area, Dr Ebenezer Arhin, from setting foot on any Nkusukum land.
The chiefs have accused the MP of depriving them of the 24-hour economy market.
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The aggrieved Nkusukum chiefs, dressed in traditional black and red, and council members invoked the gods of the land to take severe action against the MP, citing persistent disrespect.
MynewsGH reported that before banishing the MP, the Omanhen of Nkusukum Traditional Area, Okogyeman Okese Essandoh IX, as part of the government’s 24-Hour economy market project, the MP informed them that he and his MCE had chosen the Mankessim market for the 24-Hour economy market initiative, and they inspected the place with the consultants and contractors.
Two weeks after the inspection, the same MP sent an invitation letter to the Nkusukum Traditional Council to attend the sod cutting, but upon reading the letter, they found out that the site had been changed.
Okogyeman Essandoh called the change a total disrespect.
The 24 Hour Economy is a flagship policy of the Mahama administration, and is expected to be supported with state-significant resources.
The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme is a national production-led revamp of Ghana’s import-dependent, low-value raw material exporting economy.
The government's vision is to turn the economy into a modern, self-reliant, and globally competitive one that works around the clock to deliver productivity, sustainable growth, jobs, and food security.
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, called for the establishment of 24-hour markets in Ghana’s district city centres to boost local development.
The initiative would include shift systems in factories, extended market hours, and certain essential services like pharmacies, police stations, and health posts.
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Government cancels 1D1F programme
The Mahama administration cancelled the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative, a flagship programme introduced under the Akufo-Addo administration.
The decision was announced by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
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The government is working to replace the 1D1F initiative with a new industrial strategy focused on round-the-clock agro-processing hubs under the 24-hour economy policy.
While the 1D1F programme is being phased out, the trade minister stated that ongoing projects would not be abandoned but would instead be re-aligned under the broader 24-hour economy vision.
She noted that aspects of the old programme are under review and would be integrated into the new plan, with discussions ongoing between the ministry and stakeholders to manage the transition.
Mahama targets jobs under 24-Hour Economy
YEN.com.gh earlier reported that the government, under President John Mahama, announced plans to create 1.7 million jobs under the 24-Hour Economy Initiative.
Abdul-Nasser Suglo Alidu, Head of Strategy and Programmes at the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, provided more details about the policy.
The policy focused on optimising productivity across sectors and time zones, with flexible shift systems and sector-specific models.
Source: YEN.com.gh
