The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has assured traders at the Nzema and Kokomba Markets at Agbogbloshie that the government’s planned redevelopment will not take away their businesses or livelihoods.
Mr Ayariga said existing traders would be actively involved in the redevelopment of the two facilities into 24-hour model markets as part of efforts to improve trading conditions and expand economic opportunities in Accra.
He gave the assurance on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, when he toured the markets with the Minister for Transport and the Accra Metropolitan Mayor to assess their condition and engage market leaders on the proposed project.
According to the Minister, the government’s intention is to provide modern and better-organised facilities while ensuring that traders who currently operate at the markets remain at the centre of the process.
“We are not coming to take your businesses away from you. You will be part of the process, and you will lead the discussions on how the redevelopment should be done and how the allocations should be made,” he said.
Mr Ayariga explained that the redevelopment would be designed around the specific needs of the two markets while also addressing congestion and other challenges associated with trading in the area.
He said consultations with traders and market leaders would be important in determining how the new facilities should be developed and how spaces would be allocated.
The Minister also disclosed that he would engage the Ministers for Lands and Natural Resources and Finance to explore the resources required to execute the project.
Market leaders welcomed the government’s engagement and expressed their readiness to collaborate with the authorities as plans for the redevelopment progress.
The proposed 24-hour model markets form part of broader efforts to improve commercial infrastructure, create more economic opportunities and make trading facilities more functional and accessible.
