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The designated sites for the relocation of Kejetia traders in Kumasi to allow for the first phase of the $298 million reconstruction of the Central Market is 98 per cent complete to accommodate the traders.

Four hundred stalls designated for the traders at one of the sites, the Royal Market, is ready, while another 400 out of 600 at the Adehyieman Gardens is also ready.

The designated sites for the drivers behind the zoo have been levelled and ready for asphalting.

The drivers, hawkers and traders hailed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Kojo Bonsu, for walking the talk and ensuring that they were not left stranded during the exercise.

Mr Bonsu toured the sites together with other officials and reassured the traders that the assembly meant well for them.

He said he empathised with the affected traders during their temporary relocation, adding ‘Change everywhere is difficult to accept but we must look at the bigger picture of opening up Kumasi to the rest of the world and to beautify the city.’

The CEO urged them to approach his office if they were in any difficulty with regard to the biometric registration because those captured would be given the first option during the allocation of the new stalls.

The reconstruction of the Central Market project is to provide more than 40,000 stalls, shops and other facilities for the traders.

Parliament last year approved a $298million Brazilian loan to reconstruct the fire-prone market. It is being undertaken by a Brazilian construction firm, Contracta.