Daniel Otuo Acheampong
Traders in Kumasi have issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding the immediate resumption of the stalled Kejetia Phase Two redevelopment project or face mass protests by the end of May 2026.
The warning comes from the Combined Kumasi Central Market Traders Union, whose members say they have endured years of economic hardship since their eviction from the Kumasi Central Market in 2021 to pave way for the project.
Addressing a press conference in Kumasi yesterday, the Union’s Director of Operations, Daniel Otuo Acheampong, described the prolonged delay as devastating to traders’ livelihoods.
“Traders have faced serious challenges since 2021, when they were evicted from the Kumasi Central Market,” he stated, noting that the situation has disrupted businesses and reduced incomes for many families.
According to the Union, although some traders were relocated to the Kumasi Racecourse, conditions there remain poor and unconducive for business. They cited challenges including bad road networks, inadequate sanitation, poor lighting, and security concerns, all of which have significantly affected customer turnout.
Other traders who continue to operate within sections of the Central Market are also grappling with harsh conditions such as flooding, foul sewage odour, and heaps of uncollected waste, raising serious public health concerns.
The traders further expressed disappointment over assurances by Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang that construction would resume in March 2026.
With no visible progress on site, the traders said they suspect funding constraints may be behind the delay, and are calling for the immediate release of funds to restart the project.
The traders also proposed a change in project management, suggesting that a competent private entity be engaged to oversee the redevelopment to ensure efficiency, improved security, and timely completion.
They again appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene and help facilitate a resolution to the problem.
They warned that failure by the government to respond within the stipulated timeframe would leave them with no option but to embark on a large-scale protest, a move that could further heighten tensions in the Ashanti Regional capital.
By Ernest Kofi Adu
