Ahmed Ibrahim warns contractors against shoddy work on 24-Hour Economy market projects

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has issued a firm warning to contractors engaged in the government’s 24-Hour Economy Model Market programme, cautioning that poor workmanship, project delays, and failure to adhere to specifications will not be tolerated.

The Minister delivered this warning as construction officially commenced on new 24-Hour Economy Model Markets in Bimbilla and Kukuo. These projects form part of the government’s broader Resetting Ghana Tour and its decentralised infrastructure development agenda aimed at boosting economic activity at the local level.

Ahmed Ibrahim stressed that the market projects are critical national investments designed to strengthen local economies, improve trading environments, and support small businesses. As such, he emphasised that contractors must strictly comply with quality standards, timelines, and cost requirements to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the initiative.

He noted that the government is committed to delivering durable, high-quality infrastructure that can withstand the demands of continuous, round-the-clock economic activity. According to him, any compromise in quality or delivery would undermine the objectives of the programme and waste public resources.

The Minister further revealed that monitoring and evaluation systems across all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have been significantly strengthened to ensure closer supervision of ongoing projects. These enhanced oversight mechanisms are intended to enforce accountability and ensure that contractors meet their contractual obligations.

He warned that any contractor who fails to meet the agreed standards or timelines will face serious consequences, including possible termination of contracts and other sanctions.

The 24-Hour Economy Model Market programme is being rolled out across all 261 MMDAs nationwide, reflecting the government’s commitment to decentralised development. In the current phase, 16 assemblies within the Northern Region are benefiting from the initiative.

The programme is designed to promote continuous economic activity by providing modern market infrastructure that supports traders, farmers, and small-scale enterprises. It also aims to improve sanitation, enhance market organisation, and create safer and more efficient trading spaces.

The markets in Bimbilla and Kukuo are part of a wider strategy to strengthen rural-urban economic linkages, increase local productivity, and expand access to economic opportunities at the grassroots level. By improving infrastructure in underserved areas, the government hopes to stimulate inclusive growth and reduce regional disparities.

The initiative is also aligned with the Accounting to the People Interactive Forum on Local Governance and Decentralisation, a key component of the Resetting Ghana Tour that promotes transparency, citizen participation, and accountability in governance.

The sod-cutting ceremonies for the projects were attended by cabinet ministers, senior government officials, local authorities, traditional leaders, traders, youth groups, and community members, reflecting broad stakeholder support for the initiative.

Many stakeholders have welcomed the programme, describing it as a transformative step toward improving livelihoods, enhancing local commerce, and creating sustainable economic opportunities within districts.

The government has reiterated that strict supervision, quality assurance, and performance enforcement will remain central to the successful implementation of all infrastructure projects under the 24-hour economy programme, as it seeks to deliver long-term benefits to communities across the country.