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A Section of traders from the Central Market in Kumasi last Friday evening stormed the Rattray Park which was to be commissioned by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama to protest against the proposed Redevelopment of the Kejetia and Central market project.

They held placards in the face of the President to register their protest against the $298 million project.  The traders sent messages to the effect that they did not want to be armed robbers following their displacement and should be adequately resettled.

President Mahama, who was not pleased with the scene, had no option than to address the traders through the traditional method and appealed to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who also witnessed the scene to quickly intervene in the impasse that is delaying the construction of the Kejetia and Central market project.

He noted that the issue between the traders, who fear the loss of their shops after completion, is stifling the Kejetia project from beginning and he sought the intervention of traditional and opinion leaders to wade into the impasse and cool heads. He said further delays in the execution of the project would attract huge commitment fees from the bank.

According to the President, funding has already been secured for the project and further delay will only attract huge commitment fees. President Mahama called for calm so that the landmark project would start.