Traders in Kumasi have united with others in the Ashanti Region to demand the prompt completion of several critical projects, including the second phase of the Kumasi Central market, which missed its completion deadline.
Traders who were relocated to the Race Course market to make way for the construction of the second phase of the Kumasi Central market project recently expressed their concerns about project delays, attributed to the government’s Debt Exchange Restructuring program.
At a news conference in Kumasi, the traders criticized the government for its failure to complete the Krofrom market, which was initiated in 2007.
They also highlighted other neglected projects in the Ashanti Region, including roads and healthcare infrastructure, accusing the government of neglecting the region.
The traders have announced their intention to organize a series of events to draw the government’s attention to the development needs of the Ashanti Region.
Nana Asare Bediako, spokesperson for the traders, said that delays in completing other phases of the market project are negatively impacting livelihoods.
“On the Kejetia market project, it is very disheartening that ever since phase one of this three-phased project was completed with its accompanying problems, to date, not undiluted attention has been paid to the other remaining two phases. When several months ago, phase two of the project was halted, some government officials said it was just for the holidays break. Here we are today the purported holidays have not come to an end. Now that the reality caught up with us all we’ve been told due to COVID-19 and Russia Russia-Ukrainian war the Ghanaian economy has been affected negatively hence going to the IMF.”
“Relocating to Race Course, which is in a deplorable and terrible state, affected the people. Lots of these traders have lost their businesses, and capital, and have become sick at home with various ailments. What is the hope for phase three of this project to see the light of day so as to bring relief to these traders?”