The government has renamed its “24-hour economy markets” initiative as District Economy Markets, with a target to complete at least one model market in each of Ghana’s 261 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies by 2028.
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga explained that the rebranding was necessary to distinguish the market projects from the government’s broader 24-hour economy policy.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, October 5, 2026, Mr Ayariga said the original name had created the impression that the government’s flagship 24-hour economy programme was primarily focused on markets.
“You notice I didn’t say 24-hour economy markets. The use of the 24-hour economy markets has tended to create the impression that the whole thing about the government’s flagship programme of 24-hour economy is about markets,” he said.
He said the programme had subsequently been redesignated as District Economy Markets to emphasise its objective of providing modern market infrastructure across all districts.
According to the Minister, construction and implementation of the projects are already underway at different locations and stages nationwide.
To speed up delivery, government has also divided the programme into two phases, with the first concentrating on the core market facilities.
This phase will cover the construction of stores, sheds and other essential commercial spaces required to make the markets operational.
The second phase will focus on complementary infrastructure, including police and fire stations, to support the effective functioning and security of the markets.
Mr Ayariga said the restructuring was intended to allow government to complete the projects more quickly while establishing a sustainable financing framework.
“We re-scoped it into two phases to enable a more speedy delivery of the market and a more structured financing to achieve 100% completion by 2028,” he said.
He explained that funding for the second phase would subsequently be sourced from future allocations to the District Assemblies Common Fund.
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