As Ghana prepares for a potential shift to a 24-hour economy, Alagumgube Founder is urging the president to pump the brakes, at least for the northern regions.
Mr. Gabriel Agambila, Founder of Alagumgube, has made a passionate appeal to President John Mahama to reconsider specific aspects of the proposed 24-hour economy policy.
Speaking from his observations after spending one year away from the diaspora and returning home, Agambila warns that what works in theory may clash sharply with local realities.
According to Mr. Agambila, Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region, effectively shuts down soon after nightfall. “Only a few shops are open past 8 pm,” he noted. He pointed out that even the main market in the regional capital already experiences significant armed robbery during daylight hours.
“The situation is alarming during the day,” Agambila said. “So you can imagine what would happen at night in a 24-hour market.”
He raised concerns that such markets would likely be located on the outskirts of town, assuming district assemblies can even acquire suitable land for that purpose.
Drawing on northern traditions, Agambila explained that in many households, once the main gate is closed at night, no one is permitted to leave. “Even young men, the head of the house has to enter through a ladder at the back of the house,” he described.
Beyond tradition, he painted a grim picture of potential consequences:
Women would be the primary patrons of night markets, making them vulnerable targets for robbery and rape.
Marriages could break down, as husbands might take advantage of wives being away at night to bring in girlfriends or visit their own lovers.
Rather than rushing into a full 24-hour economy, Agambila is asking President Mahama to redirect resources toward more immediate, practical upgrades:
Powerful floodlights in existing markets
Additional police stations and fire tenders
Clinics within already established markets
He believes these improvements should come first, and stay in place “until such a time that armed robbery is reduced in the region.”
Source: Apexnewsgh.com