Kejetia market project was an ill-thought, needless problem for Kumasi – Osei Mensah

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, has described the Kumasi Kejetia project, constructed under John Mahama’s administration, as an “ill-thought project.”

He stated that the project did not solve any issues but instead contributed to congestion in Kumasi.

Speaking in a yet-to-air exclusive interview on GHOne TV with Serwaa Amihere in Kumasi, Simon Osei Mensah said, “So, I’m saying this Kejetia project is ill-thought and needless because it didn’t include adequate space for car parking. That’s why Adum has become a no-go area during peak business hours.”

He added that to avoid the current problems caused by the “Kejetia Dubai project," the design of the Central Market project, or Kejetia Phase Two, has been modified.

He explained that the ongoing Central Market project would not create congestion. “I will say it any day, any time, that the Kumasi Kejetia market is a poor investment that has created huge problems. Kejetia was a lorry park, and you converted it into a market. Where should the cars park?” he asked Serwaa Amihere in the yet-to-be-aired exclusive interview on GHOne TV.

The Ashanti Regional Minister also dismissed the NDC’s statement that they built the Tafo Market, Atonsu Market, and others, insisting they only completed the Asawase Market.

“The Atonsu Market—I solved the problems there when we came to power. What are they talking about?”

The former Bosomtwe Member of Parliament further told GHOne TV that not a single health project inherited from the NDC administration has been abandoned in the region, contrary to the NDC’s claims.

“As we speak, Serwaa, we have completed the Sewua Regional Hospital. It will be commissioned before the elections. The Afari Military Hospital will be completed before the year ends. The Kumawu District Hospital has been completed, and hospital staff are already working there. Tepa, Konongo, and Fomena are all actively providing healthcare. So, what is the NDC talking about? Which health project have we abandoned in the region?”

The minister further challenged the NDC to point to a single hospital project they initiated and completed before leaving office under the John Mahama administration in the region.

“The NDC has been lying that they have built hospitals in the Ashanti Region. I’m challenging them again today to point to just one full hospital they started and completed. If they show me, I will resign today. They have nothing to show; they are just talking,” he said.

An overconfident Simon Osei Mensah insisted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region would achieve the votes target they have set for the region.

“We have worked very hard in the region. Our roads have seen significant and proper improvement, and I’m confident that we will win this election with candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Our party’s target is 85%, and we will get it as a reward for the work we are doing for the region.

"Look, NPP built the Asafo, Asokwa, and Sofoline Interchanges, and we are currently building Suame Interchange. Can the NDC show us an interchange they built in Kumasi? I’m going hard this time on NDC—I will expose every lie they throw into the public.”