Government to remodel 24-Hour Economy Markets as District Economy Markets

The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Mahama Ayariga, has announced a significant change to Ghana's flagship 24-Hour Economy Markets programme. The programme, which aimed to create modern, 24-hour markets in all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, will now be known as District Economy Markets.

This change, announced during a Government Accountability Series Press Conference, aims to ensure that each district has a model market, dispelling the misconception that the programme is solely about markets.

The Minister clarified that the 24-hour economy markets had been progressing in various stages across the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies. He announced that these markets would be delivered in two phases. The first phase focuses on providing market stores, sheds, and essential commercial spaces. The second phase will deliver social amenities such as Police stations, fire stations, and other social amenities.

Ayariga emphasized that this restructuring would enable a more rapid delivery of the markets and structured financing to achieve 100 percent completion by 2028. He also announced the establishment of a committee to review the pace of work, with contractors lacking capacity facing contract termination and reassignment to more competent contractors. Funding for phase one is readily available for those completing their contracts.

The Minister also discussed the Ministry's achievements in various sectors. He highlighted that 397 out of 566 CHPS and health centres were completed, 502 out of 761 classroom blocks were built within 18 months, 3,081 out of 4,029 boreholes were mechanized and hand-pumped, and 97 out of 134 small-town water projects were completed. Additionally, the Ministry facilitated the release of GH¢840 million for all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to implement their annual action plans.