Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced that construction of the 24-Hour Model Markets across all 261 districts will begin simultaneously by December this year, under President John Mahama’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an orientation session for Regional Ministers and MMDCEs in Accra on Tuesday, November 4, he stated that the initiative is a national rollout designed to transform local economies, create jobs, and end street trading by providing modern market spaces that operate day and night.
He explained that four prototype market designs have been approved to suit different land sizes and community needs, ranging from half an acre to four acres.
The Minister said the government has already escrowed 25% of the District Assemblies Common Fund from four quarters to finance the project, ensuring work is completed within 18 months after sod-cutting.
Ahmed Ibrahim added that, to avoid procurement delays and abandoned projects, all regional coordinating councils will handle procurement jointly with district assemblies, while banks like NIB are being engaged to support contractors.
The Minister indicated that the initiative, part of President Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy agenda, is aimed at building sustainable local markets that reflect Ghanaian culture while boosting productivity and employment.
“We will make sure that by December 2027, we will be able to complete all the assemblies that are going to have land for the construction. Clearly, there are going to be land acquisition problems, but if you decentralise it, it can be done.
“We want them to do all these by 15th December so that the President will go and cut the sod. We don’t want anybody to pull us back. The President has only four years, and within these years, he wants to leave a legacy.
“So, at least if we cannot do anything at all, the 24-hour economy, which is the flagship programme, must be done,” he said.