Government has renamed its 24-hour economy market initiative as District Economy Markets, with a new target of completing projects across all 261 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies by 2028.
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga said the name change was intended to distinguish the market programme from the government’s wider 24-hour economy policy.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, October 5, Mr Ayariga said the programme would provide a model market in every district, with projects already at different stages of construction and implementation.
He explained that government had also divided the initiative into two phases to speed up delivery and establish a more structured financing arrangement.
The first phase will concentrate on market stores, sheds and other essential commercial facilities. The second phase will add supporting infrastructure, including police and fire stations.
Mr Ayariga said the restructuring was aimed at achieving full completion by 2028, while allowing the government to manage available resources more effectively. Funding for the second phase is expected to come through future allocations from the District Assemblies Common Fund.
The announcement follows an earlier review of the 24-hour market programme, which involved consultations with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and other stakeholders on its progress and financing.
