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The Kumasi Metropolitan Security Council (METSEC) has begun deploying a number of police and military personnel at the Kejetia Lorry Terminal to protect both traders and equipment as the metropolitan assembly begins a biometric registration of traders ahead of a planned relocation exercise.

The KMA intends to re-construct the Kejetia Lorry terminal and the Kumasi Central Market with a US$298million loan from Brazil. This was approved by Parliament last year.

The first phase of the project, estimated at US$198 million is expected to be concentrated at the Kejetia Lorry Terminal after which the central market would be tackled under the second phase.

The deployment of the security personnel according to the KMA has become necessary following threats by a section of the traders to manhandle their colleagues who attempt to register and also destroy the biometric equipment.

The Metro Coordinating Director of KMA, Mr Michael B. Ataogye, said the registration was to capture the bio-data of traders and guarantee them a place when the construction was completed.

He said claims by some of the traders that the security personnel have been deployed at Kejetia to intimidate or force the traders to register should be dismissed.

“METSEC warns that no further obstruction of public officers in the line of their duties would be tolerated,” he said.

The project is to be undertaken by a Brazilian construction firm, Contracta.

Four hundred stalls have been designated at the Royal Market to accommodate traders who are to be ejected from Kejetia. An additional 400 out of the 600 at the Adehyeman Gardens, was also ready.

The two-and-a-half year project is to provide more than 40,000 stalls, shops and other auxiliary facilities for the traders.