Traders at the Kumasi City Market, also known as Kejetia market, have identified the facility as a “death trap”.
The traders have cited severe overcrowding at the market, originally designed to accommodate 8,000 lockable shops and stalls, but currently overstretched, with trading activities expanding far beyond its intended capacity thus worsening their fears.
They have called on the government to, as a matter of urgency, to intervene to prevent a possible collapse.
Addressing a news conference recently, the President of the Federation of Kumasi Traders, Nana Akwasi Prempeh, said the current situation requires immediate attention.
The traders outlined several concerns, including a lack of managerial direction, political interference, poor maintenance culture, and persistent electricity challenges due to the continued use of a bulk metering system.
They also highlighted the absence of adequate fire fighting equipment and noted that the facility still lacks a fire certificate.
“In terms of readiness to fight fire, a facility as huge as this has not had a fire certificate since November 2021. The market does not have any market insurance, hence no remedy came in support of the victims in the March 2023 unfortunate fire incident in the Market.
To date, no steps whatsoever have been taken to rectify these issues. No one cares,” Nana Akwasi Prempeh stated.
The traders further accused market management of encouraging congestion at the facility by reallocating spaces originally designated for emergency access to table-top traders, an action they foresee could severely hinder rescue operations in the event of a disaster.
Nana Akwasi Premeph urged the government and concerned authorities to act swiftly to avert a potential structural failure and safeguard the livelihoods of more than 20,000 people who depend on the market.
According to him, the situation, if unattended could result in a national security concern.
