Used cloth dealers, others to demonstrate over delay in completion of Kumasi Central Market redevelopment project

Following the delays in completing phase two of the Kumasi Central Market redevelopment project, the used cloth dealers and traders are planning a five-day continuous protest.

The traders were relocated from Kumasi Central Market to Racecourse due to the reconstruction project.

The traders indicated that they had to delay the planned demonstration due to the 25th anniversary celebration of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Samuel Obeng, the leader of the Central Market Traders Association, said once the celebrations were over, they would demonstrate.

“We are still holding on to our plans to demonstrate. We are quiet because of the ongoing 25th anniversary celebration of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. We don’t want to cause any disturbances that interrupt his activities. But once Otumfuo is done with the anniversary, we will fix a date to stage our demonstration.

“The demonstration will be a massive one because it will include auto mechanics from Suame magazine and other groups in the region.

“We respect the Regional Minister, but he can go ahead and say what he wants. We are not backing down on our demonstration. If the NPP government wants to go into opposition, we will help them do so.

“The completion of the Kumasi International Airport will not provide food for us, nor can it help us in any way as traders. Instead of helping us cater for ourselves and our families by completing the market, you rather want to complete the airport; that’s fine, but we shall see,” he added.

The Kumasi Central Market redevelopment project, initiated by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), aimed to improve trading conditions in the area.

However, the project was halted in 2022 due to the 2022 Debt Restructuring Programme.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has disclosed that the central market redevelopment project will resume after the completion of the Kumasi International Airport and the maternity block at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.