Land shortages in parts of the Greater Accra Region are forcing assemblies to redesign planned 24-hour economy markets, according to the Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Local Government Committee, Charles Agbeve.
His comments come amid resistance from some traders and communities over the proposed locations of some of the markets.
In Accra, Konkomba Yam traders have protested against plans to site a 24-hour economy market at a proposed location and have appealed to the government to consider an alternative site.
Mr Agbeve said several assemblies do not have sufficient land to accommodate the market infrastructure as originally planned.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, August 14, 2026, he said the committee had been informed by some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) that securing the approximately four acres required for the projects had proven difficult.
He explained that in one instance, stakeholders had opted for a smaller parcel of land and a vertical design to overcome the constraint.
“In Accra, the challenge was the availability of land. Most of the assemblies don’t have the land,” Mr Agbeve said.
“We, together with the MP, have decided on a 1.9-acre piece of land that we will use. Instead, we will put up a high-rise building with two underground car parks, while the ground floor will serve as part of the market,” he said.
Mr Agbeve said the situation highlights the need for flexibility in implementing the government’s 24-hour economy market initiative, particularly in densely populated urban areas where large tracts of land are difficult to secure.
He noted that the committee encountered similar land-related challenges during oversight visits to assess preparations for the markets in different parts of the country.
According to him, the committee examined whether proposed sites were suitable for construction, whether they were marshy or otherwise unsuitable, whether they had received the necessary approvals and whether adequate stakeholder engagement had taken place.
“When we went to Takoradi, we saw the challenges,” he said, adding that stakeholders later identified an alternative site after concerns were raised about the original location.
Mr Agbeve said the committee also encountered difficulties in the Central Region, where disagreements over a proposed market site escalated before stakeholders were brought together to reach a consensus.
“The same thing happened in Agona. It was calm because we had engaged stakeholders and agreed on where to put it,” he said.
The government’s 24-hour economy initiative includes the development and modernisation of market infrastructure aimed at supporting commercial activity beyond traditional operating hours.
