Some traders evicted from the Kumasi Central Market as part of efforts to commence the second phase of the Kejetia-Central market redevelopment project have taken over major streets in the city.
Citi News’ visit to Dr. Mensah and other nearby streets showed that lorry terminals, pavements and streets have been turned into markets.
While some aggrieved traders insist they have not been given new places to trade, others say they cannot afford the cost of renting a new place for their businesses.
“They have given us a new place, but the rent prices are expensive. The prices are between GHS5,000 and GHS10,000, and we can’t afford it. The authorities are not helping us at all. The situation is very bad,” one trader said.
Another trader said she and her fellows are in a desperate situation.
“The situation now is very dire. We have nowhere to relocate to. We have not been given any notice. We are pleading with the authorities to help us.”
“When we were being evicted yesterday, we were robbed of our monies. This is the trade we are engaged in for a living.”
Previous tensions over the development project saw some traders sue to stop the demolition of over 1,000 stores for the project back in March 2021.
This was after traders were given an ultimatum to leave the project area.
The Kumasi Central Market is a €248 million project being financed by the Deutsche Bank of Germany.
Upon completion, the redeveloped market is expected to 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.
The project will also provide other essential facilities such as a waste treatment plant, a police station, a fire station, post offices, and an amphitheatre and first-class roads in the Central Business District of Kumasi.