By Emmanuel Bamfo 
The government has officially redesignated its popular 24-hour economy market projects as District Economy Markets across all 261 assemblies. Minister Mahama Ayariga made this announcement during the Government Accountability Series in Accra, explaining that the redesignation clarifies the true operational scope of the physical infrastructure.
Chale, many citizens previously thought the broad 24-hour national economic policy was limited strictly to building local marketplaces. This official name change separates concrete district commercial projects from broader political debates surrounding national economic strategies.
To accelerate delivery and ensure structured financing, the government has re-scoped the entire market construction plan into two distinct execution phases. The primary goal focuses on completing Phase One across every district nationwide by 2028.
Phase One covers essential commercial infrastructure, including modern lockable stores, open market sheds, cold storage facilities, and paved lorry parks. Phase Two will subsequently introduce supporting social infrastructure such as police posts, fire stations, day-care centers, and health clinics.
Government officials confirmed that full funding for Phase One is readily available to contractors who meet strict construction milestones and timelines. Authorities warned that underperforming contractors risk immediate contract termination and reassignment to maintain progress.
Funding for Phase Two will flow directly through future allocations from the District Assemblies Common Fund. The government aims to generate self-sustaining local revenue from completed Phase One stalls to help finance further structural extensions.
The District Economy Markets initiative aims to modernize trade spaces, protect market women from adverse weather, and stimulate grassroots commerce. Modern facilities will improve sanitation, reduce post-harvest losses for agricultural produce, and create steady municipal revenue.
By separating market infrastructure from broader macroeconomic discussions, local assemblies can focus strictly on project execution. Traders across the country look forward to moving into modern, secure stalls as construction advances rapidly across selected sites.
Also Read: Ayariga calls for more funding for local assemblies
Source: Ghana News Page