The government has renamed and restructured its flagship market infrastructure programme as District Economy Markets, with a target to achieve 100 percent completion across all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) by 2028.
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, announced the changes, explaining that the new name is intended to clearly distinguish the market development programme from the government’s broader 24-hour economy initiative.
According to the Minister, referring to the projects as “24-hour economy markets” had created the impression that the government’s flagship 24-hour economy policy 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 explained.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, October 5, 2026, Mr. Ayariga said the District Economy Markets programme is currently at different stages of construction and implementation across Ghana.
The initiative is expected to provide modern market facilities in every district, supporting local businesses, traders and economic activity at the grassroots level.
District Economy Markets Divided Into Two Phases
To accelerate construction and establish a more sustainable financing framework, the government has divided the District Economy Markets programme into two phases.
The first phase will focus on the construction and completion of essential commercial infrastructure, including market stores, sheds and other facilities required for trading activities.
The second phase will cover additional social and security infrastructure, including police stations and fire stations, among other supporting facilities.
“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,” Mr. Ayariga said.
District Assemblies Common Fund to Support Second Phase
The Minister also disclosed that the second phase of the District Economy Markets programme will be financed through future allocations from the District Assemblies Common Fund.
The restructuring is expected to improve the pace of construction while providing a clearer financing model for completing the market infrastructure projects across Ghana.
The government says the District Economy Markets initiative will strengthen commercial infrastructure, create improved spaces for traders and businesses, and support local economic development across Ghana’s 261 districts.
With the 2028 completion target, the programme is expected to become a major component of the government’s efforts to improve district-level infrastructure, boost local commerce and promote economic activity in communities nationwide.
Source: newsthemegh.com