The government has put on hold the proposed redevelopment exercise for the Agbogbloshie 24-Hour Economy Market to allow for further consultations with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), market leadership and other stakeholders on an appropriate redevelopment plan for the area.

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, announced the decision on Wednesday, 23rd September, 2026 when he joined the Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, and the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, to engage the leadership and traders of the Yam Market at Agbogbloshie.

According to him, a temporary hold would enable the government and the Assembly to assess conditions on the ground, review the proposed development and agree with stakeholders on a practical arrangement that would accommodate existing market operators while improving the area.

Hon. Ayariga said the government’s objective was to improve market infrastructure across the country under the 24-Hour Economy Market initiative and not simply construct new facilities without taking account of existing commercial activities.

He explained that the government had directed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to develop improved market infrastructure, adding that the latest engagement was intended to allow all the relevant parties to jointly examine the proposed development and determine the most appropriate approach for Accra.

He said constructing a new market in a way that merely displaced an existing market would not provide a complete solution, stressing that the redevelopment should, as far as possible, accommodate those already operating within the enclave.

The Minister stressed that the standard design developed for the 24-Hour Economy Market programme could be modified to suit the peculiar circumstances of Accra adding that the consultations would consider the scope of the project, its cost and funding required to implement an agreed design.

He stated that if necessary, the design could be reconfigured or the scope of the project expanded to accommodate more traders, adding that additional funding could also be considered to support a larger redevelopment.

The Minister cited Kumasi, where, according to him, the intervention was being adapted to improve and complete an existing market rather than strictly applying the standard 24-Hour Economy Market design.

He said Accra similarly required an approach that reflected conditions on the ground instead of automatically adopting the same design being used in other districts.

A representative of the market welcomed the decision to continue consultations and said the traders supported development that would improve conditions within the enclave.

He assured that the market leadership was prepared to work with the AMA and the relevant ministries to agree on a redevelopment approach that would benefit existing operators and modernise the area.