The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has issued a stern warning to traders at Kejetia Market, requiring them to settle five years of unpaid premium fees by 31 December 2026. Failure to comply may result in the loss of their stalls. According to the KMA's Chief Executive Officer, Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, traders who have defaulted on their premium payments must clear their debts within the specified timeframe.
Kejetia Market, which recently underwent extensive redevelopment and reopened in phases, is one of the largest markets in West Africa and a crucial commercial hub in the Ashanti Region. The market supports thousands of livelihoods across Kumasi and beyond. In Ghana's market management system, premium payments are upfront or periodic fees paid to local authorities, such as the KMA, to secure or retain rights to a stall or shop within a public market.
The premium payment is distinct from daily tolls collected from market users, and defaulting on it can affect a trader's continued right to occupy a stall. Although the exact number of traders owing premium payments and the total value of outstanding debt are unclear, the KMA's ultimatum has direct financial and livelihood implications for the affected traders.
Losing a stall at Kejetia would mean losing access to one of the busiest commercial hubs in Ghana, at a time when many market operators are grappling with rising costs and redevelopment pressures. Any disruption to trading activity at Kejetia could have knock-on effects on prices and the availability of goods for shoppers and the wider Kumasi economy.
The Kejetia ultimatum echoes broader tensions that have played out in other Ghanaian markets over redevelopment costs and trader relocation. In Accra, plans to redevelop the Agbogbloshie Market were recently halted by the government. The KMA's move signals a tightening of enforcement around Kejetia Market, a valuable commercial asset in the region.
The deadline carries significant stakes for traders, who must honour their premium payments to retain their stalls. The KMA's appeal to traders to clear their debts by 31 December 2026 highlights the importance of premium payments in Ghana's market management system. Enforcement steps against traders who miss the deadline are unclear, but may include eviction or reallocation of stalls.
The situation at Kejetia Market underscores the challenges faced by traders and market authorities in Ghana. With its extensive redevelopment and reopening, Kejetia Market remains central to Kumasi's economy. The KMA's ultimatum serves as a reminder of the importance of premium payments for traders to maintain their stalls in the market.
Key points
- Traders at Kejetia Market must pay five years of overdue premiums by 31 December 2026.
- The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly warns of potential stall loss for non-compliant traders.
- Kejetia Market is one of the largest markets in West Africa, supporting thousands of livelihoods.
