Sam Pyne, the Mayor of Kumasi, has assured that completing the Kejetia Phase II project and the long-delayed Krofrom Market will significantly ease congestion in the city’s Central Business District.
In an interview on the Ghanakoma morning show on Akoma 87.9 FM with Sir John, Pyne emphasized the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s commitment to finishing these two pivotal projects.
He argued that addressing the congestion issue in the Central Business District requires a nuanced approach beyond the typical decongestion efforts.
The Kejetia Central Market redevelopment is set to be the second phase of the Kejetia Project, which the Ghanaian government initially launched.
This phase is anticipated to be larger than the existing Kejetia Market and is estimated to cost £280 million.
Within a four-storey structure, it will feature 6,500 rental spaces, 5,400 cold storage units, 800 kiosks, and 50 eateries.
However, work on this project has been halted for the past 13 months due to a government restructuring program.
The Krofrom Market, which began under President John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration, has also faced prolonged delays, largely due to funding issues.
The market has been in disrepair for nearly two decades.
Three years ago, assistance from the Asantehene’s office secured a loan agreement worth GHC81 million to complete the project. Still, despite a nine-month completion deadline, it has yet to materialize.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly now estimates a need for approximately GHC 100 million to finish the project.
These markets must be completed and operational before many displaced traders are forced to conduct business on the streets and pavements, exacerbating traffic congestion and hindering movement in the area.
City managers have implemented decentralization strategies to mitigate the issue, encouraging traders to relocate to satellite markets in Abinkyi, Tafo, Bantama, and other locations.
While this has alleviated some pressure on the Central Business District, congestion remains a persistent problem.
Mayor Pyne remains optimistic that completing the Kejetia and Krofrom markets will solve the city’s congestion woes.
He highlighted that many traders currently occupying the main streets of the Central Business District are from the incomplete Krofrom and Central Markets.
The Assembly is actively seeking alternative funding sources and negotiating with contractors to advance the completion of the Krofrom Market.”
“Extensive deliberations have been held by the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Committee to secure funding and finalize agreements with contractors,” Pyne stated.