The government is reviewing the design and scope of its flagship 24-hour model market initiative and plans to rename the project “District Model Markets.”
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga announced the proposed changes on Monday, October 5, during the Government Accountability Series.
According to Mr Ayariga, the review follows consultations on how best to align the projects with available resources while ensuring that the markets are completed within two years.
He said President John Dramani Mahama had already cut the sod for the construction of the flagship markets in seven regions, with projects currently at various stages of development across the country’s 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
“Deliberations are ongoing with a view to remodelling the designs and rescoping the project to fit readily available budget and urgent need to complete the markets within two years,” he said.
Kumasi, Takoradi market projects to resume
Mr Ayariga also disclosed that negotiations had been completed to enable contractors to return to site and complete the Kumasi Central Market Phase II and Takoradi Market Circle projects.
He said the market programme forms part of the government’s broader efforts to promote local economic development and improve trading infrastructure across the country.
The proposed redesign and rescoping are expected to bring the projects in line with available financial resources while maintaining the government’s objective of providing modern and improved trading facilities to communities nationwide.
The renaming of the initiative to District Model Markets is also expected to reflect the broader scope of the programme beyond the original 24-hour market concept.
