Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi has issued a warning to traders against paying individuals or groups claiming they can secure shops for them at the stalled second phase of the Kumasi Central Market redevelopment. In a Facebook post on Sunday, September 20, Boadi urged anyone who had already paid money in exchange for a promised shop at the Kejetia Phase II project to request an immediate refund. He emphasized that no one should make payments to individuals on the basis of securing a shop allocation unless such payment has been officially authorised by the appropriate authorities.
The warning comes as authorities expect construction work on the second phase of the Kumasi Central Market redevelopment to resume in October. Boadi said the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) had engaged the project’s contractors and consultants and secured funding for the continuation of the works. This development is expected to bring relief to traders who have been affected by the delay in the project. The project’s financing model is intended to generate revenue from completed phases to support the subsequent stages of the three-phase redevelopment.
According to Boadi, the assembly had collected 89 million cedis ($7.8 million) from Phase I since the market was commissioned in 2018. The Phase II project has remained stalled for several years, prompting concerns from traders and other market stakeholders over its completion and the congestion at the city’s main trading centre. The planned development is expected to provide more than 3,760 counter shops, more than 6,000 lockable shops and a transport terminal capable of accommodating about 600 vehicles.
The project, originally valued at 248 million euros, was contracted in December 2018 with a planned completion period of 48 months. Project consultant Tony Yeboah of Avangarde Design Services provided an update on the project’s status, stating that overall work had reached 68 percent, while procurement was at 84 percent, engineering works at 99 percent and construction at 49 percent. He also revealed that 171 million euros had so far been paid towards the project.
Boadi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing Phases II and III, describing the redevelopment as a priority. The planned expansion is expected to add modern trading and transport facilities to the existing Kejetia complex and help ease pressure on Kumasi’s congested commercial centre. The mayor urged traders to remain vigilant and verify information through official channels before making any payments, warning against fraudsters seeking to exploit expectations surrounding the project’s planned resumption.
The Kejetia Phase II project has been stalled for several years, causing concerns among traders and stakeholders. The Kumasi Mayor’s warning is aimed at preventing further scams and ensuring that traders are protected. Boadi’s stakeholder engagement with traders and Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister Mahama Ayariga in Kumasi was an effort to address the concerns of traders and provide updates on the project’s status.
The redevelopment of the Kumasi Central Market is a significant project aimed at modernizing the city’s trading facilities. With construction set to resume in October, traders are hopeful that the project will be completed soon, easing congestion and providing better trading conditions. The government’s commitment to completing the project is a welcome development, and traders are eagerly awaiting the completion of the project.
Key points
- The Kumasi Mayor has warned traders against paying individuals for shops at Kejetia Phase II.
- Construction work on the second phase of the Kumasi Central Market redevelopment is set to resume in October.
- The project is expected to provide modern trading and transport facilities, easing pressure on Kumasi’s congested commercial centre.
