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