The ’24-hour economy markets’ being constructed in metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies across the country have been redesignated as “District Economy Markets”.
The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, announced the change.
According to him, the move is to separate the physical market infrastructure projects from the political discourse surrounding the broader “24-hour economy” policy.
Addressing a press briefing dubbed the “Government Accountability Series” in Accra on Monday, October 5, 2026, Ayariga said the decision followed concerns that the previous description, “24-hour economy markets”, created the impression that government’s 24-Hour Economy programme was limited to markets.
He said the new name better reflects the purpose of the projects and their role in supporting economic activity across the districts.
Ayariga said the market projects have also been divided into two phases to speed up delivery, with the Phase One covering the construction of market stores, sheds and other commercial spaces, while Phase Two will provide social amenities, including police and fire stations.
Government, he added, is targeting 100 per cent completion of Phase One by 2028.
He said a committee has been set up to monitor progress on the projects and warned that contractors who fail to perform will have their contracts terminated and the projects reassigned.
On property rates, Bawku Central MP said the existing collection system was affected by inefficiencies, inconvenience and corruption, with some payments ending up in private hands.
He said a new system will eliminate cash collection and require property owners to pay through mobile money (MoMo), other digital platforms or electronic bank transfers.
The collection, he said, will be controlled centrally, with the revenue accounted for and transferred to the assemblies for local development.
The new arrangement, Ayariga noted, is intended to make property rate payments easier and give residents a clearer link between the money they pay and services provided in their communities, mentioning paved roads, drains, street lighting and greenery as some of the services residents should see.
He expressed confidence that compliance will improve when property owners see the benefits of paying their rates.
The Minister also provided an update on the Kejetia Market Phase Two project, saying contractors are expected to return to the site within days or weeks after approval from the Finance Minister, with negotiations continuing on Phase Three.
Ayariga said government remains committed to improving conditions for market women and described the administration as “a pro-women’s government”.
He also confirmed that the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral has been formally dissolved, saying the site has been handed over to the Ministry of Local Government pending further directives after the Attorney-General reviews the forensic audit.
On the Ayalolo bus contraflow system, the Minister said President John Dramani Mahama has scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting for Thursday, October 7, to review the arrangement and determine how to make it permanent.
He said the broader objective of government’s measures is to make local government authorities more responsive to the daily needs of citizens and improve service delivery at the local level.
