Traders at Tamale's Aboabo Market had been anxious about an impending redevelopment project, fearing they would lose their stalls. On October 12, 2026, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, visited the market to address these concerns. He was accompanied by Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways Alhassan Suhuyini. The visit aimed to engage directly with traders and clarify the government's intentions regarding the proposed overhaul.
During his address, Ayariga assured the traders that the government had no intention of evicting them from their stalls. Instead, the redevelopment aimed to improve existing infrastructure and expand the market's capacity to accommodate more people. The minister emphasized that the goal was to enhance what traders were already managing, rather than displacing them. He also noted that completing the market's existing structures was crucial to avoid wasting resources already invested in the project.
The redevelopment of Aboabo Market is part of a commitment made by President John Dramani Mahama during his election campaign. The project forms part of a broader government initiative to modernize markets across the country. However, traders at other facilities have expressed similar fears of demolition and displacement during redevelopment projects. Past experiences with market renovations have led to prolonged displacement and disputes over resettlement, contributing to the anxiety among Aboabo traders.
Ayariga's in-person visit and direct assurance are notable, given the national conversation around market modernization. The minister's engagement with traders aimed to alleviate concerns and provide clarity on the government's plans. For the traders at Aboabo Market, the assurance means their daily income and access to their current stalls should not be interrupted by the redevelopment.
Many traders at Aboabo Market depend entirely on their positions within the market for their livelihoods. Any threat of eviction carries direct financial consequences for families in Tamale and the wider Northern Region. The assurance from Ayariga has provided some relief to traders who had been bracing for the worst.
While Ayariga's visit appears to be part of ongoing engagement with traders, no specific timeline has been announced for when construction or redevelopment work at Aboabo Market will begin. The scope of the planned expansion and details on the project's implementation remain unclear. The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs oversees the administration of Ghana's metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, including the management and redevelopment of public markets.
The government's 24-Hour Economy Markets policy initiative, aimed at extending commercial activity beyond regular business hours, has also raised concerns among informal traders about potential displacement during construction. Ayariga's assurance to traders at Aboabo Market reflects the government's efforts to balance market modernization with the needs and concerns of traders who depend on these markets for their livelihoods.
Key points
- Minister Ayariga assures traders at Aboabo Market that no one will be evicted during redevelopment.
- The redevelopment aims to improve existing infrastructure and expand the market's capacity.
- The project is part of a broader government initiative to modernize markets across the country.
