Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga has assured traders at Nzema and Kokomba markets in Agbogbloshie, Ghana, that the government will not take away their businesses during the planned 24-hour market redevelopment. Ayariga made this statement during a tour of the markets on September 23, 2026, accompanied by the Minister for Transport and the Accra Metropolitan Mayor. The tour aimed to inspect the current state of the markets and address traders' concerns about potential demolition of their stalls.
The visit follows concerns raised by market traders in early September 2026, who feared that their stalls would be demolished as part of the government's 24-hour economy push. These fears led to worries about the potential disruption of their livelihoods without adequate consultation or compensation. The concerns of the traders are not new, as communities affected by government redevelopment and infrastructure projects have often expressed similar worries.
Ayariga explained that the 24-hour model market initiative aims to upgrade trading facilities, expand economic opportunities, and modernize conditions for market women, farmers, artisans, food processors, and young entrepreneurs. He emphasized that existing traders will be at the center of the process and will lead discussions on how the redevelopment should be done and how allocations should be made. The redevelopment plans will take into account the specific realities of the Nzema and Kokomba markets.
Market leaders who spoke during the engagement welcomed the government's approach and expressed willingness to work with officials on the redevelopment. Ayariga also stated that he intends to engage the Ministers for Lands and Natural Resources and Finance on the resources needed for the project. However, no timeline for the redevelopment, cost estimates, or a start date for construction has been disclosed.
The Nzema and Kokomba markets are long-standing trading hubs at Agbogbloshie, an area already associated with heavy congestion in Accra. The assurance of continuity means that traders' businesses and the incomes of their households will not be uprooted overnight. For shoppers and transport users in the area, any redevelopment could eventually affect access routes and trading hours once the "24-hour" model is implemented.
Ghana's 24-hour economy agenda is a government policy aimed at extending business and production activity beyond the traditional working day to boost output and job creation. The redevelopment of markets such as Nzema and Kokomba into "24-hour model markets" is part of this wider plan, intended to give traders modern, round-the-clock facilities. The policy's financing and rollout at Agbogbloshie have not yet been detailed.
The engagement between Ayariga and the market traders marks a positive step towards addressing the concerns of the traders and ensuring that their voices are heard in the redevelopment process. The government has demonstrated a commitment to stakeholder-led approaches in the redevelopment of the Nzema and Kokomba markets, which could serve as a model for future projects.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has assured traders at Nzema and Kokomba markets that they will lead discussions on the planned 24-hour market redevelopment.
- The 24-hour model market initiative aims to upgrade trading facilities, expand economic opportunities, and modernize conditions for market women, farmers, artisans, food processors, and young entrepreneurs.
- The redevelopment plans will take into account the specific realities of the Nzema and Kokomba markets, including the wider congestion challenges facing that part of Accra.
