Traders in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, have issued an ultimatum to the John Mahama-government, to immediately resume the abandoned Kejetia Phase Two project or risk protest by the end of May, 2026.
The Combined Kumasi Central Market Traders Union laments that its members have endured years of hardship following their eviction from the Kumasi Central Market in 2021 to make way for the redevelopment project.
At a press conference in Kumasi, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Director of Operations for the Union, Daniel Otuo Acheampong, stated that the prolonged delay has significantly disrupted trading activities and livelihoods.
“Traders have faced serious challenges since 2021, when they were evicted from the Kumasi Central Market,” he stated.
Even though it is within their right to call for their fair share of the national cake, some have questioned motive behind their agitation and threat? In the view of critics, it is strange hearing the traders call on the government to restart a project they previously assigned to Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
They said it is intriguing because in the past, especially during elections, some of the traders said it was the traditional ruler that initiated and built the popular market. They disregarded correction that, it was during John Mahama’s first term that contracted a loan to build it.
They also questioned the timing of the threat and agitation because they said in the past, the traders did not embark on similar exercise when the previous government was in office.
One of the posts and comments on social media questioned “I thought they said the first one was done by Otumfuɔ and he took a loan from IMF, why can’t they go to Otumfoɔ to go for the same loan to complete it? Oh, so they want John Mahama to complete it for them and even given him warning? Are they not the same people who demonstrated when the first phase was constructed? Have they forgotten what Napo said that all they need is T-shirt and no development koraa they will still vote NPP?
Today is John Mahama, so u have gotten the nerves and the effrontery to speak and attack. The same thing their forefathers did to Nkrumah is what is been repeated by their grand-Children. I’ve always maintained that Ghana’s biggest problem is this people”.
On record, the Kejetia Market Phase I was initiated in 2015 through a multiple international loan facilities reached between them and government. The project was valued at approximately USD$298 million.
But according the traders during the presser said, although some traders were relocated to the Kumasi Racecourse, many others are still without permanent trading spaces. They described conditions at the Racecourse as poor, citing bad roads, inadequate sanitation, poor lighting, and insecurity—factors they say have reduced customer patronage.
Traders who remain at portions of the Central Market are also grappling with flooding, sewage odour, and accumulated debris, raising concerns about public health and safety.
The Traders further expressed disappointment over an earlier assurance by Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang that work on the project would resume in March 2026, which has yet to materialize. They suspect funding challenges may be responsible for the delay and are calling for the immediate release of funds.
In addition, the traders are advocating for a change in project management, proposing that operations be handed over to a competent private entity to improve efficiency and security.
They also appealed to the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene and help resolve the situation.
The Union cautioned that failure by the government to act within the stipulated timeframe would leave them with no option but to embark on a mass protest.
By Gifty Boateng