On election day, we will safeguard public properties, says KMA Boss.

The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has not decided to close the Kumasi Central Market on election day, December 7, 2024, according to Sam Pyne, the chief executive officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).

Instead, he states that, as in the past, the REGSEC will take every precaution to safeguard public property prior to, during, and following the polls on December 7.

Sam Pyne's remark follows a statement made by a person claiming to be the vice-chairman of the Kejetia, Central Market, and Abinkyi Market, in which she opposed the market's potential closure on election day.

Speaking with Sir John on the Ghanakoma morning show on Akoma 87.9fm in Kumasi, Sam Pyne stated that the Assembly will make every effort to safeguard all of the city's public property. According to the announcement, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), the running mate of the NPP, suggested that the KMA carry out the execution on December 7.

He refuted any attempt by the REGSEC to carry out its plan to close the Kumasi Central Market, nevertheless, in his response to the announcement on Akoma FM.

According to him, during a meeting at the Kumasi Cultural Centre, the Kejetia Queen Mothers Association told Napo that they were worried about a malicious plot by certain attackers to set fire to the market on election day in an attempt to cause chaos and divert the traders' attention from casting their ballots.

"Napo has never stated that the Kumasi Central Market will be closed on election day. I haven't said that or made that choice because of myself.

The traders have pleaded with us to safeguard their assets on election day. I have to admit that REGSEC has also learnt of a plan by some individuals to burn the market down on election day.

We have superior intelligence. On the day of the vote and beyond, we will take every precaution to safeguard the assets of the traders and the market as a whole.

It is “our” duty as a security council for the region to do so.”

However, let me clarify, Sir John, that the purported vice chairman of the Kejetia, Central Market, and Abinkyi Market who made the comment is, in fact, a well-known NDC official. He previously worked in the area as a personal assistant to a former NDC parliamentary candidate. Let's everyone ignore the statement and denounce their shady political tactics.

The NDC knows they will lose the polls, so all of these are panic reactions," he stated.