An empty shed at the Race Course Market/Terminal
THE RACE Course Market/Terminal is ready to accommodate thousands of traders that are earmarked to be moved to pave way for the Second-Phase of the Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment project.
The Race Course currently boasts of well-built sheds, toilet facilities and lightning systems, and the roads in the spacious market are also being constructed by Contracta Construction UK Ltd, contractors for the project.
Checks made by the DAILY GUIDE indicated that the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), led by Osei Assibey-Antwi, had also worked tirelessly to put the Abinkyi Market in shape to accommodate more of the traders.
Sources at the assembly have hinted that approximately 8,500 traders, made up of meat/fish sellers, store owners, second hand clothes dealers and petty traders have been earmarked to be moved into the two spacious markets.
The KMA intends moving 3,500 shop owners and 4,000 second hand clothes dealers to the Abinkyi Market.
Also, 1,000 meat/fish dealers and other traders would be moved to the Race Course Market/Terminal.
Inspection of Markets
As part of efforts to ensure transparency in the relocation exercise, the KMA has taken time to lead the leadership of the traders to the Abinkyi and the Race Course Market/Terminal for inspection already.
During the tour, the traders entreated the assembly to improve the security network, the urinal facilities and the lightning systems, a request which the KMA willingly agreed to work on to improve the comfort of the traders.
The paper learnt that the assembly had engaged the services of experts that were seriously working to improve the lightning systems, additional toilet facilities were being built and the Race Course Police Post was being upgraded.
Roadmap For Relocation
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, last week presided over a meeting involving all the major stakeholders, including the KMA and traders, regarding the relocation of the affected traders.
All the attendants of the meeting unanimously agreed that the Central Market Redevelopment project had been delayed, so the project could no longer wait, therefore all stakeholders should play roles for the project to progress.
Mr. Mensah, it is reported, urged the traders to cooperate so that the roadmap, regarding the relocation exercise, would be carried out in such a manner that would ensure total peace and progress of the boisterous city.
Traders Support
Meanwhile, the Concerned Traders Association of Kumasi, have offered their unflinching support to the KMA, regarding the professional and human face manner at which the assembly was carrying out the relocation exercise.
In a press release, issued on Monday, the traders stated that the KMA was on track and therefore they would not sit aloof for any trader or group to frustrate the KMA regarding the relocation exercise.
The release was jointly signed by Kwabena Fosu and Frank Antwi, Operations Leader and Chairman of Concerned Traders Association, respectively and Daniel Ankamah and Elder Owusu, the Eleven Steering Committee Chairman and Secretary, respectively.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi