Kumasi traders to hit the streets over abandoned Central Market Phase II
A coalition of trade unions and market associations in the Ashanti Region has announced plans to stage a peaceful demonstration over delays in completing the Kumasi Central Market Phase II project, saying thousands of traders continue to face economic hardship after years of disruption.
In a statement issued on Monday (20 July), the Coalition of Trade Unions (CTU) accused the government of failing to honour repeated assurances that construction on the project would resume after the current administration took office.
The group said traders had expected work to restart without delay but instead the project has remained stalled, extending what it described as years of uncertainty for businesses displaced by the redevelopment.
Traders cite economic hardship
According to the coalition, many affected traders are still operating from temporary locations including the Racecourse, Adum and other parts of Kumasi, where they say congestion, inadequate facilities and declining business have made trading increasingly difficult.
The coalition argued that the prolonged suspension of work has disrupted livelihoods and placed additional pressure on Kumasi’s central business district.
It called for the immediate resumption of construction on the second phase of the market redevelopment.
Demands
The coalition also urged authorities to use funds collected from traders as premium payments for the first phase of the market solely for completing the second phase, saying the money had been deposited in accounts at Fidelity Bank and Yaa Asantewaa Rural Bank for that purpose.
In addition, it called for immediate measures to ease congestion in Adum and surrounding commercial areas, which it said has worsened because displaced traders have been forced to operate in temporary spaces.
The group further proposed that management of the completed Phase I market be transferred to a professional operations and maintenance company, arguing that government involvement in the market’s day-to-day administration has contributed to overcrowding and operational inefficiencies.
Protest planned
The coalition warned that traders’ patience had “been overstretched” and said failure to address the concerns could prompt some traders to occupy available spaces in the unfinished market regardless of official allocations.
It announced plans to organise a large peaceful demonstration to press for action, adding that the date and route of the protest would be announced later.
The Kumasi Central Market redevelopment is one of Ghana’s largest urban renewal projects and is expected to accommodate thousands of traders upon completion.
However, delays to the second phase have remained a source of concern among traders and local business groups.
The government had not publicly responded to the coalition’s latest demands at the time of publication.
