Traders in Kumasi, particularly members of the Kumasi Central Market Traders Union have threatened toprotest against the delay in the implementation of the €248 million Second Phase of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project, being financed by the Deutsche Bank of Germany, with export credit guarantee from the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF).
The proposed demonstration is intended to draw the attention of concerned authorities to resume work on the project, since it is being unduly delayed.
The phase two of the Kejetia Central Market Redevelopment has seemingly been abandoned due to lack of funding.
The traders, who have plans to occupy these spaces upon project completion, have repeatedly stressed the need for urgent action to resume construction, as they are getting agitated about the delays.
In May 2019, 2023 the president cut the sod for the project to be commenced and was to be completed within 48-months.
The second phase of the project is expected to house 6,500 leasable commercial spaces; 5,400 closed stores; 800 kiosks; 50 restaurants and 210 fishmonger and butcher stores and 40 livestock stores among others, as well as provide 900 direct jobs and 2,500 indirect jobs to improve the lot of residents, but it has stalled.
Madam Emilia Kwofie, Secretary of the combined Kumasi Central Market Traders Union, says they are demanding authorities to prioritise this project, adding that they will embark on the demonstration once they finish going through the process with the police.
About 8,500 traders were relocated from the Central market in Kumasi to enable Contracta-UK Construction Limited the contractors to commence work on the second phase of the Kejetia Redevelopment project in 2021.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) accordingly prepared the Race Course and the Afia Kobi (Abinkyi) Markets, under a roadmap for the resettlement of the traders.
About 3,500 shop owners and 4,000 second hand cloth dealers at the Central market were resettled at the Afia Kobi Market, whilst 1,000 fish sellers moved to the Race Course, which has enough space to absorb more traders.
Reacting to the concerns of the traders, Samuel Pyne said work on the projects will resume soon, without giving any time frame.
