The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has firmly rejected claims that stakeholders were sidelined in discussions over the proposed 24-Hour Market project at Agbogbloshie, releasing a detailed account of more than three months of engagements with traders, traditional authorities and other affected parties.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Assembly said it had taken notice of what it described as misinformation circulating among sections of the public regarding the project, and moved to set the record straight.
According to the statement, the Assembly, led by the Mayor of Accra, Honourable Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has for over three months engaged groups and individuals whose activities, livelihoods or properties stand to be affected by the project’s implementation. These engagements have involved traditional authorities, market leaders, traders and occupants within the project area, including the leadership of the Yam Market, Nzema Market and Cargo Station.
Timeline of Engagements
The AMA outlined a series of key engagements undertaken since July:
On July 9, 2026, the Mayor briefed the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and the Ga Traditional Council on the proposed market, its land requirements and intended implementation arrangements. Later that same day, the Mayor met traders at Agbogbloshie, formally introduced the contractor and provided further details on the redevelopment.
On July 13, 2026, the AMA met the leadership of the Agbogbloshie Yam Market at City Hall to discuss the proposed siting of the market on portions of the land they currently occupy.
On August 4, 2026, the Assembly met chiefs and traditional leaders at Agbogbloshie as part of continuing consultations under the 24-Hour Economy initiative. A nine-member committee was subsequently constituted to oversee the areas discussed.
Following these engagements, the Assembly served a one-month notice, ending August 31, 2026, on traders and occupants within portions of Agbogbloshie identified as part of the project site.
Land Requirements and the Yam Market
The statement noted that separate engagements had been held with the leadership and representatives of the Yam Market, as a portion of the land currently occupied by the market forms part of the area earmarked for the proposed development.
The AMA clarified that approximately four acres of land are required for the full implementation of the 24-Hour Market project. Of this, about 3.2 acres have so far been identified for the development, including three plots equivalent to 0.48 acres within the existing Yam Market area.
The Assembly emphasised that the exercise is not intended to arbitrarily displace traders, but to arrive at practical arrangements that will allow the project to proceed while protecting the legitimate interests and livelihoods of affected persons.
Allowances and Outcomes of Consultations
The AMA also placed on record that throughout the more than three months of stakeholder consultations, representatives who participated in the engagements were provided with transportation allowances of not less than GH¢3,000 per meeting to facilitate their participation.
The engagements, the statement said, gave stakeholders the opportunity to raise concerns, seek clarification and make proposals on land requirements, the movement of traders, continuity of business activities, and the need for an orderly implementation process.
So far, the parties have agreed on the need for continued dialogue, cooperation and consultation throughout the implementation of the project, with a shared understanding that arrangements affecting existing traders should be handled in an orderly manner through direct engagement with their recognised leadership.
AMA’s Position
Against this background, the AMA firmly rejected claims that affected stakeholders have been ignored or excluded from discussions on the project, insisting that the record demonstrates a sustained consultation process involving several engagements over a period exceeding three months.
The Assembly said the proposed 24-Hour Market is expected to provide modern infrastructure to support extended commercial activity, improve sanitation and safety, better organise trading, and create employment and economic opportunities in Accra.
The AMA indicated it will continue engaging the Yam Market leadership, other affected traders, traditional authorities and relevant stakeholders ahead of the commencement of the main construction works, and urged the public to rely on official information from the Assembly rather than unverified claims.
The statement was signed by Gilbert Nii Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs, for the Metro Chief Executive.
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