Completion of Central and Krofrom markets will reduce congestion in Kumasi – KMA Boss

The Mayor of Kumasi, Sam Pyne has given assurance that the completion of Kejetia phase project and the Abandoned Krofrom Market will help reduce congestion in the Central Business District of Kumasi.

He said the Assembly is committed to the completion of the two projects to solve congestion problem in the city.

Speaking on Ghanakoma morning show on Akoma 87.9fm in Kumasi with Sir John, Sam Pyne revealed that the congestion in the Central Business District of Kumasi requires sensitivity rather than the usual decongestion exercise.

The redevelopment of the Kumasi Central Market is the second phase of the Kejetia Project initiated by the government of Ghana.

The project, which is planned to be bigger than the Kejetia Market, estimated to cost 280million pounds.

It is expected to have 6,500 rental spaces, 5,400 cold storage units and 800 kiosks, 50 eateries and many more, all of which fit into the 4-storey massive Market.

But work stalled for the past 13 months during the government’s restructuring program.

Krofrom Market on the other hand has also stalled for almost twenty years. The project, which started under the John Agyekum Kufuor administration, was left uncompleted due to funding challenges, leaving the market in a state of disrepair.

Three years ago, the government, together with the office of the Asantehene, facilitated a loan agreement worth GHC81million to complete the building of the structure. But that did not materialise despite a nine- month completion deadline.

Currently, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly needs about GHC100million to complete the project.

But until the completion of the two projects and stores are allocated, ejected businessmen and women as well as petty traders and hawkers who are engaged in brisk business activities will have no choice but to sell on the streets and pavements.

The situation has made movement into and out of the area very difficult. Kumasi City managers have in collaboration with other Municipal Assemblies, adopted decentralisation methods by convincing traders to relocate to satellite markets at Abinkyi, Tafo, Bantama and other places to discourage buyers from flocking to the Central Business District of Kumasi to transact business.

Though this measure has relatively helped in reducing the pressure placed on the small area where the traders have had to occupy, the problem of congestion still persists.

The Kumasi Mayor was hopeful that the completion of the two projects will reduce congestion in the Central business district of Kumasi.

He said majority of the traders doing business in the Central Business District of Kumasi main streets come from the uncompleted Krofrom Market and Central Market.

He said the Assembly is exploring alternative sources of funding to complete the building of the Krofrom Market which has been abandoned for many years.

“Extensive deliberations have been held by the PPP Committee concerning the agreement of contractors and seeking alternative funding sources for completion.

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