The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced that the newly introduced 24-Hour Model Market Initiative will play a pivotal role in reducing congestion in Ghana’s major markets while enhancing productivity and local economic growth.

Speaking at an orientation session for Regional Ministers and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) held on Tuesday, 4^th November 2025 in Accra, Hon. Ibrahim described the initiative as a bold and transformative step towards re-engineering Ghana’s market infrastructure and improving livelihoods under government’s flagship programme, the  24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, championed by President John Dramani Mahama.

According to him, the 24-hour market model is designed to ease overcrowding and trading pressure during daytime hours by extending operations into the night, adding that the model markets will not only serve as trading spaces but also as vibrant economic hubs that operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week. This he noted will allow traders to expand operations, access new customer segments, and improve their incomes.

Hon. Ibrahim explained that the markets would be equipped with modern facilities including cold storage units, sanitation systems, digital payment infrastructure, childcare centers, police and fire posts, with proper lightening system to always ensure safety and convenience for both traders and customers.

The Minister emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Local Economic Development (LED) Policy (2024–2029), which emphasizes the need for modern economic infrastructure to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs). He noted that over 85% of Ghana’s businesses fall within the SMEs          category, underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive economic growth.

He added that the markets would contribute to job creation, especially for women and youth, and help improve local government revenue generation through enhanced trading activities.

He noted that due to the standard  design that will be replicated in all regions, the Ministry organized the orientation session to enable them meet the architects to explain the designs to them and also enable them understand the specification and charged the Regional Ministers and the MMDCEs to work keenly on the procurement process and ensure the project comes to fruition to serve its intended purpose, as this is one of the President’s deliverables which will also create revenue for the MMDCEs and create meaningful jobs and improve living conditions of the assemblies.

Hon. Ibrahim further called on the Regional Ministers and MMDCEs to take leadership in identifying and designating local economic zones suitable for 24-hour operations, ensuring security, sanitation, and efficient lighting systems to support the markets’ continuous operation. He urged them to align their Medium-Term Development Plans with the national 24-Hour Economy agenda to attract both public and private investment.

The 24-Hour Model Market Initiative, he noted, forms part of a broader ecosystem under the Build24, Fund24, and Connect24 components of the 24-Hour Economy Programme, designed to ensure sustainable infrastructure, financing access, and integration into national logistics systems.

Hon. Ibrahim stressed that the initiative is not a pilot but a national rollout, symbolizing government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive growth and economic transformation.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, has led the second edition of the re-launched National Sanitation Day (NSD) on the 1st Novembe, 2025, calling for sustained national action to protect Ghana’s environment and restore civic pride.

Addressing participants in La Dade-Kotopon, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim described the initiative as “a survival and existential exercise” and praised the commitment of chiefs, citizens, and the media in sustaining the momentum since the relaunch.

> “When the chiefs lead, the people follow, and success is achieved. Sanitation is no longer an event but a lifestyle of responsibility and patriotism,” he declared.

The Minister commended His Royal Majesty King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III, President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, for his exemplary participation, noting that traditional leaders have become key drivers of the renewed campaign.

He was joined by Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Deputy Minister for Local Government Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Member of Parliament for the La Dadekotopon, Hon. Benjamin Narteh Ayiku (MP for Ledzokuku), and the MMDCEs of the municipalities inspected, all of whom participated in the community cleanup and inspection exercises.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann
MLGCRA PR UNIT

The spirit of community and cleanliness was alive on Saturday, 1^st November, 2025 as residents of Ledzokuku, Krowor, and La Dadekotopon came out in their numbers to mark the Second National Sanitation Day with renewed zeal and unity.

From the early hours of the morning, Residents, assembly members, Volunteer groups, students from the Nungua Senior High School, youth associations and traders were seen sweeping streets, desilting gutters, clearing weeds, and collecting heaps of refuse from major roadways and markets.

The exercise, which forms part of government’s National Sanitation Campaign that aims to promote behavioral change and community ownership of environmental cleanliness. Officers from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Traditional Leaders together with the Municipal Assemblies and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, supported the cleanup activities.

At Krowor, the President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, King Prof. Oboade Odaifio Welentse III, Vice President of Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Nene Tetteh Wakah III   and the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Paul Afotey Quaye, led residents to desilt drains along the Teshie Township roads, emphasizing the need for sustained citizen participation.

Saturday’s turnout shows that cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility and when communities take charge, Ghana can become a cleaner, healthier place to live.

In Teshie Tsui Bleoo, youth groups and residents turned the exercise into a lively community affair, ensuring that every drainage system was clean, while removing shrubs around pathways.

At La Dadekotopon, residents took the exercise to heart, transforming neglected spaces into tidy public areas. The Assembly, led by Hon. Alfredos Anyetei, collaborated with traditional leaders and schools to educate participants on proper waste segregation while clearing pathways.

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, led by the Minister Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Deputy Minister, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah and the Chief Director, Alhaji Amin Abdul – Rahaman along with a delegation from the Ministry joined these Communities to ensure there was adherence to the first Saturday of the month clean- up exercise as scheduled by the president.

The Second National Sanitation Day reinforces the message that a cleaner Ghana is achievable when citizens, assemblies, and Traditional leaders work hand in hand.

 Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA