The Ghanaian government is set to transform local commerce with the construction of modern markets in every district, a move designed to fuel the ambitious 24-hour economy initiative. Minister for Local Government, Sanitation, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, unveiled plans on Thursday in Parliament, emphasizing that these markets will serve as vibrant commercial hubs supporting continuous economic activity nationwide.
Minister Ibrahim revealed that the government will allocate up to 25% of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), translating to about GHC 24 million annually, toward developing these markets and their surrounding infrastructure. This funding is part of a broader strategy to identify key commercial centers in each district and enhance them as economic hotspots.
Beyond just market construction, the minister highlighted integrated community support facilities such as schools to accommodate farmers’ children and emergency services including fire and police posts. “Our approach to the 24-hour economy goes beyond electricity provision. We are creating safer, more convenient environments where business and community life can thrive simultaneously,” Ibrahim explained.
President John Dramani Mahama has endorsed the initiative, describing it as a potential game changer for Ghana’s economic landscape. The 24-Hour Economy Policy, originally championed by Mahama during his campaign, aims to boost productivity and service delivery by keeping key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services operating around the clock.
Scheduled to launch on July 1, the policy reflects the government’s commitment to creating a dynamic economic environment that supports continuous growth, job creation, and enhanced livelihoods across Ghana’s regions.
As preparations intensify, the modern market infrastructure stands as a cornerstone for this vision—promising to transform how Ghanaians trade, work, and live in the new era of a 24-hour economy.
