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In the face of persistent uproar by traders selling at the Kejetia Lorry Terminal over doubts regarding allocation of stores and spaces in the ongoing reconstruction works of the terminal and their settlement in a new location, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has lived up to its promise by handing over a successfully completed temporary lorry station at the Kumasi Race Course to the traders.

Following delivery of the new terminal to the traders, the way has now been cleared for work to earnestly start on the first phase of the reconstruction of the Kumasi Central Market estimated to cost $198 million. 

The Race Course terminal facility covers an area of 40,000-square-metres. It has 18 sheds and is expected to accommodate more than 3,000 vehicles and traders and people in other supporting capacities. 

The terminal is equipped with toilet and urinary structures and other facilities expected to make life comfortable for users of the terminal. The terminal would also have security to ward off criminal elements and ensure that people go about their duties in peace.  

The Chief Executive Officer of the KMA, Kojo Bonsu, has assured traders who would be affected by the reconstruction works on the old market of payment of adequate compensation. He said the traders would in turn be the first to be allocated stores in the rebuilt market when it was completed.

The KMA was at the moment undertaking biometric registration of traders involved in the relocation exercise. The registration process is aimed at ensuring fairness in the allotment of stores.

Mr Bonsu commended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his support and offer of the land to resettle the displaced traders.  

The KMA Chief Executive also praised President John Dramani Mahama for his commitment to improve the infrastructure base in Kumasi.

He dispelled rumours that the assembly was secretly registering people who were not recognisable as belonging to the group of traders displaced. 

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr Aeron Osei Boakye, commended the KMA for the good work it was doing and requested lights to be provided at the Race Course terminal. 

Work at the Kumasi Central Market is expected to be completed in two-and-a-half years and would contain about 40,000 stores, shops and other supporting facilities meant to enhance trading activities.  

Parliament late last year approved a $298 million Brazilian loan in aid of the Kumasi Market reconstruction project.