Combined Kumasi Central Market traders Union has threatened to demonstrate against the government over the stalled Kumasi Central market project.

President Nana Akufo Addo, on 2nd May 2019 cut the sod for the commencement of phase two of the redevelopment project of the Kumasi Central Market and the provision of associated infrastructure.

The project undertaken by Messrs Contracta Construction Ltd, a Brazilian construction firm responsible for the market construction was projected to complete the project within 48 months.

Four years on, the project is about 60 percent completed, a delay the traders contend has collapsed their working capital hence a threat to demonstrate against the government.

The project ejected over ten thousand traders to pave the way for redevelopment of the Kumasi Central Market at a cost of two hundred and forty-eight-million-euro (€248 million).

The project is being financed by Deutsche Bank of Germany, with export credit guarantee from the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF).

The Project was estimated to be completed within 48months according to President Nana Akufo Addo, however, the estimated period of the project has elapsed with no signal of commitment to complete the project any time soon.

The traders complain the project delay has brought serious economic hardship to them and their dependents hence a decision to draw government attention to the situation on site.

Speaking to GHone News, Emilian Kofie Asare Abatiah secretary to the Combine Kumasi Central Market traders Union said, they have lost patience for the government on the project hence demand for explanation.

“Our major issue as we speak now is that we have come to notice that the Central Market Project has come to halt. Nothing seems to be going on there. As I talk to you now if you pass by the project site the place is like graveyard and our big questions is why is there nothing going on there with the stipulated time ’’

She added: “We have seen Krofrom Market which was initiated by former President Kufuor standing there without any government commitment to complete the project for traders. We have every reason to be concerned about the Central market project because it is possible the government may forget about the project. Central market is where we eat from. That’s what people will understand so we need the contractor back on site to work. We all seriously know the repercussions of unemployment in the country and come to imagine people in the market, most of us being adults. We have people depending on us, our kids, parents and family and all the sadden you are out of business”.

Emilian Kofie Asare Abatiah: ”Our checks have confirmed that the contractor constructing the market has packed off from the site. Workers have been laid off and the two years’ time line has also elapsed from 2nd May 2022 and we are now in 30th March 2023. What is going on?’’ She asked.

She disclosed the delay in the project has made them a burden to their family because they are out of business.

She said they may soon consider street protests against the government if their concerns are not addressed as soon as possible.

“I ask myself if I don’t have a supportive husband, how would my children go to school? Some of our colleagues are single parents and now they are out of business just imagine what they are going through now under this economic hardship. All of us who are depending on others very soon our dependents will give up on us. Our simple message to the government is that if we don’t get any response from the government. We will pull over 6,000 of our members to demonstrate against the government. Then they are telling us clearly that our issues are not their issues our concerns are not their concerns but at least we know demonstration is legal it is not against our constitution if it is accepted and that is what will get them to listen then we will get all those who have got to the hinterland to farm to come in and then we all fight this battle” she hinted.

Meanwhile the Mayor of Kumasi, Samuel Pyne who is equally concerned about the situation in an interview with GHOne News assured the traders that the Government is seriously working around the clock to bring the construction firm back on site as soon as possible.

Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Isaac Bediako