Massive Renaming Shake-Up: Government Suddenly Drops 24-Hour Market Brand Name

The government has officially announced a major review of its flagship market infrastructure project, revealing plans to rename the 24-hour model markets to "District Model Markets".

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, disclosed the Government Accountability Series on Monday, October 5.

He explained that the sudden shift follows extensive consultations aimed at aligning the project's scope directly with available financial resources.

The restructuring is designed to ensure that the trading facilities can be fully completed within a strict two-year timeframe.

According to Mr. Ayariga, President John Dramani Mahama had previously cut sod to launch the flagship market initiative across seven regions.

Construction work is currently underway at various stages of completion across all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

"Deliberations are ongoing with a view to remodelling the designs and rescoping the project to fit the readily available budget and the urgent need to complete the markets within two years," the Minister stated.

In addition to the renaming and redesigning of the district markets, Mr. Ayariga revealed major progress on stalled urban projects.

He disclosed that formal negotiations have officially concluded to allow contractors back on-site to finish the long-awaited Kumasi Central Market Phase II and Takoradi Market Circle projects.

The Minister emphasized that the overhauled market program forms a core pillar of the government's broader strategy to boost local economic growth.

He assured traders that the government remains fully committed to providing modern trading infrastructure across the country despite the design changes.