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The slow process in relocating traders at the Kumasi Central Market has delayed the commencement of Phase 2 of the market’s redevelopment project for more than five months.

On May 2, this year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cut the sod for the commencement of Phase 2 of the redevelopment project of the Kumasi Central Market and the provision of associated infrastructure, but work is yet to take off.

The contractor, Contracta Construction Ltd, UK, had not secured the right of access to the site despite all the efforts.

Although the construction company has received mobilisation funds and is ready to hit the ground running, it has been unable to enter the site because traders at the
Central Market are yet to move to the newly developed Kejetia Market and other designated satellite markets as agreed.

A source close to the project told the Daily Graphic that the contractor had loads of containers of materials and equipment sitting at the Tema Harbour for weeks, but was unable to move them to site to begin work because the traders had not moved out.

The construction, according to the contract specifications, would take 48 months.

Possible delay

At the ground-breaking ceremony this year in Kumasi, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the start of the project demonstrated the government’s unwavering commitment to deliver significant infrastructure projects that would create jobs and enhance economic development.

He then made an appeal: “I appeal to all of you, city authorities, traders, customers and residents, to support and co-operate with the contractor, Messrs Contracta Construction Ltd, so as to complete this project on time. I know I can count on all of you in this regard.”

But with five months already wasted, the project is likely to suffer the delays that characterised the construction of the first phase which comprised the Kejetia Market and its associated infrastructure.

Agreements

Phase 2 of the central market redevelopment project has two agreements - financial and construction.

The source said the financial agreements had kicked in already so if work did not start early, it would be a problem accessing the funds from the UK.

“This also means that interest on the loans will be big,” the source said.

Regional Minister reacts

Reached for his comments, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, said the process to relocate the traders to the Kejetia market had started.

“They will move in batches. What is happening currently is the relocation of traders who were at the old Kejetia terminal. After that it will be the turn of traders in the part of the central market, which has been earmarked for the second phase of the redevelopment project,” he said.

Mr Osei-Mensah said it would take about a month to complete the relocation of the traders, adding that “everything is on course and so there is no cause for alarm.”

The project

The Kumasi Central Market is a €248 million project being financed by the Deutsche Bank of Germany, with export credit guarantee from the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF).

Upon completion, the redeveloped market would have 6,500 leasable commercial spaces; 5,400 closed stores; 800 kiosks; 50 restaurants; 210 fishmonger and butcher stores; 40 livestock stores; and 1,800m2 of community facilities.

Additionally, the project will provide other essential facilities such as a waste treatment plant, a police station, a fire station, post offices, and an amphi-theatre and first-class roads in the central business district of Kumasi.