Agbogbloshie, Kejetia and Takoradi Markets to Receive Hundreds of Millions in 2027 Budget Allocations

Traders and market communities across Ghana's three major commercial cities are set for a significant boost, as the 2027 Budget has earmarked hundreds of millions of cedis for market infrastructure in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. Agbogbloshie Market in Accra and Kejetia Market in Kumasi are each slated to receive GH¢685 million, while Takoradi's market infrastructure is also included in the funding package — signalling one of the most ambitious rounds of market investment in recent memory.

What the Budget Proposes

The allocation of GH¢685 million each to Agbogbloshie and Kejetia markets represents a substantial commitment to modernising two of Ghana's busiest and most economically vital trading hubs. Beyond the funding for existing facilities, the 2027 Budget also makes provision for the commencement of Kejetia Phase 3 — the next stage of the long-running redevelopment of the Kumasi Central Market area, which has already transformed large parts of the city's commercial centre through its earlier phases.

Takoradi, the capital of the Western Region and a city of growing economic importance given its proximity to Ghana's oil industry, is also included in the budget's market development drive. The inclusion of all three cities underscores a broader government intention to spread infrastructure investment beyond the capital and to support the informal trading sector, which remains a cornerstone of Ghana's domestic economy.

Why It Matters for Ghana

Markets like Agbogbloshie and Kejetia are not merely places of commerce — they are economic lifelines for hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians. Agbogbloshie, located on the fringes of Accra's central business district, is one of West Africa's largest food wholesale markets, supplying fresh produce to communities across the Greater Accra Region. Kejetia, meanwhile, is widely regarded as the largest open market in West Africa, drawing traders and buyers from across Ghana and beyond its borders.

Investment in these markets has long been a point of political and economic debate. Infrastructure at Agbogbloshie, in particular, has faced persistent challenges — including concerns over sanitation, congestion and the welfare of traders who operate in difficult conditions. Any meaningful upgrade to facilities there could have a ripple effect on food supply chains, trader incomes and public health outcomes in Accra.

For Kejetia, Phase 3 would continue a redevelopment programme that began with the construction of a modern, multi-storey market complex, replacing the sprawling and often chaotic old market. The project has had its share of controversy and delays over the years, but its completion has remained a priority for successive governments and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.

• The scale of the allocations — GH¢685 million per market — reflects the inflationary pressures that have driven up construction costs in Ghana in recent years, as well as the ambition of the planned works.
• Traders and market associations in all three cities are likely to watch the rollout closely, given past experiences where budgetary commitments to market infrastructure have not always translated swiftly into on-the-ground improvements.
• If implemented effectively, the investments could also create jobs in construction and ancillary services, providing a broader economic stimulus in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi.

What Comes Next

The 2027 Budget allocations will need to be approved through the standard parliamentary process before funds can be released and projects formally tendered. Civil society groups, trader unions and opposition lawmakers are likely to scrutinise the details carefully — particularly around procurement transparency and timelines. For the millions of Ghanaians who depend on these markets daily, the proof will ultimately lie in the pace and quality of delivery on the ground.