The current status of markets in Ghana is either too old and in need of rigorous maintenance or have inappropriate structures. In many areas, markets have no place of convenience, access roads, fire protection facilities, or appropriate drainage; some lack water and sanitation services and other relevant services, among others. Hence the need to create an efficient functioning domestic market system for the development and distribution of products

The Ministry has architectural designs that would serve as models for the markets to be constructed by private partners, for major towns, regional, district and capitals. The markets to be constructed are meant to change the entire shopping experience for consumers. It would have facilities like clinics, crèches, toilets, fire hydrants, good drainage systems and communication facilities.

Under the proposed PPP arrangement, the private sector party would build and operate the model market (based on the designed developed by MOTI) at selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies for pre-determined period, and then, transfer ownership of the markets to the MMDA at the end of the period. Five MMDAs have expressed interest in constructing the model markets. They are: • Tamale Metropolis (Tamale); • Nkoranza North District (Nkoranza); • Upper Manya District (Asesewa); • Yilo Krobo District (Somanya); and • Accra Metropolis (Accra) Each of these benchmark designs could be financed, built, operated, and maintained, on a cost recovery basis, through a PPP arrangement

The development and construction of new modern markets nationwide, potentially through PPP arrangements, will be in accordance with the Ministry’s Industrial Policy and will comply with the National Policy on PPPs (June 2011). Hence, a Modern Markets Feasibility Project Framework (“the Framework”) will be developed to assist MMDAs evaluate new projects and engage with the private sector to prepare, develop and implement new modern markets in Ghana. This is a capital intensive and the government cannot finance the project alone