The government has remodeled its “24-hour economy markets” programme as District Economy Markets and is targeting 100% completion of the projects across all 261 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies by 2028.
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga said the change was intended to make clear that the market programme was separate from the 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 therefore been redesignated as District Economy Markets, with the goal of providing a model market in every district.
He said the projects were currently at various stages of construction and implementation across the country.
Mr Ayariga said government had also re-scoped the programme into two phases to accelerate delivery and establish a more structured financing arrangement.
The first phase will focus on the construction of market stores, sheds and other essential commercial spaces, while the second phase will provide supporting social 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,” he said.
According to the minister, the second phase of the projects 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 supporting economic activity at the district level.
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