Former Upper East Regional Women’s Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Hajia Charity Chariyam, has issued a passionate call for enhanced security measures as the government rolls out its 24-hour market initiative across the country.
While the initiative has been welcomed by many, Hajia Charity, known for her courage and candid opinions, has raised an alarm over a looming danger: armed robbery. In an interview with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh, she warned that women who work late into the night face daily threats, and without proper protection, the new policy could do more harm than good.
“Imagine a woman selling pepper or salt all day, only to be attacked on her way home and lose her hard-earned money,” she said. “Many of these women rely on small loans from banks or groups such as MASLOC. If robbed, they are left with nothing but debt. Their capital is already small; losing it means they cannot sustain their families or businesses.”
President John Dramani Mahama has described the 24-hour market policy as a major campaign promise aimed at creating wealth in beneficiary communities. Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for a model market in Bimbilla in the Northern Region, he explained that the modern multipurpose markets would depart from traditional designs, offering banking services, storage, fire and security protection, restaurants, crèches, and clinics to handle traders’ emergency health needs. He assured that all 261 districts of Ghana would eventually benefit.
Hajia Charity endorses the president’s vision but insists that a well-structured, round-the-clock security system must accompany it. She proposed that security personnel work in three shifts, morning, afternoon, and night, to ensure markets remain protected at all hours. Without this, she warned, the fear of robbery would only increase, discouraging traders from participating.
Beyond immediate protection, she called for long-term solutions to address the root causes of crime. “It’s not just men; even women are involved in robbery out of desperation,” she noted. She urged the government and community leaders to empower the youth with jobs and skills training in trades such as welding, tailoring, and more, so that young people can earn an honest living.
Offering a message of hope, Hajia Charity shared the story of some local businessmen who started small and became billionaires through perseverance and honest work. She appealed to President Mahama, the Interior Minister, and the Defense Minister to prioritize both security and empowerment.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com