Gov’t renames 24-hour economy markets as District Economy Markets

The government has redesignated its “24-hour economy markets” programme as District Economy Markets, with a target of achieving 100% completion across all 261 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies by 2028.

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga said the change was aimed at distinguishing the market initiative from the government’s broader 24-hour economy policy.

“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.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, October 5, 2026, Mr Ayariga said the programme had consequently been renamed District Economy Markets, with the objective of establishing a model market in every district.

He said the projects were currently at different stages of construction and implementation across the country.

According to the minister, the government had also re-scoped the programme into two phases to speed up implementation and establish a more structured financing framework.

The first phase will focus on constructing market stores, sheds and other essential commercial facilities, while the second phase will provide supporting infrastructure, including police and fire stations.

“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.

He explained that the second phase would subsequently be financed through future allocations from the District Assemblies Common Fund.

The government says the District Economy Markets programme is intended to provide modern commercial infrastructure across the country while strengthening economic activity at the district level.

Source: Sekunde FM