Hajia Alima Mahama breaking the ground for the Kejetia Phase 2 project. Looking on are President Akufo-Addo and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
President Akufo-Addo says he is a faithful leader that is leading the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to rapidly fulfill all campaign promises to improve the lives of the people.
He confidently stated that he had virtually fulfilled all the promises that the NPP made to the people prior to the 2016 general elections, noting that all sectors of the state had been improved under his leadership so far.
“My NPP government is committed to the progress and prosperity of our motherland Ghana, as we have implemented a series of policies and infrastructural projects to enhance the living standards of the people,” he stated.
The President disclosed this during the sod cutting ceremony for the start of work on the second phase of the Redevelopment and Modernization of Kumasi Central Market and its associated infrastructural projects in Kumasi yesterday.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, prominent traditional leaders of Asanteman, ministers of state, Members of Parliament (MPs), traders and people from all walks of life, attended the programme.
The President said infrastructural development had become the hallmark of his administration, indicating that he would ensure that every promise captured in the NPP manifesto would be fulfilled soon.
He enumerated several infrastructural projects that his administration had carried out across the country to buttress his point.
Central Market Project
The President said the second phase of the Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment Project would cost a staggering 248 million Euros, adding that funding for the project had been secured by government.
He added that the project is expected to be completed in 48 months’ time by Contracta Construction UK Limited and said it would improve the standard of living of the people upon completion.
When completed, the project would boast of 10,000 stores, including 6,500 leasable and 5,400 closed stores, restaurants, police station, post office and fire station, among others, to boost businesses.
Nana’s Good Works
The President said the commencement of the second phase of the Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment Project shows his commitment to the total transformation of the country.
The President said several road projects in Kumasi had been awarded on contract, including the remodelling of the roundabouts on the Kumasi-Ejisu road.
He also said a whopping 155 million Euros had been secured by government to complete the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) facility, which had previously become a white elephant at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
He said the $2 billion Sino-Hydro barter deal would bring massive infrastructural development to the country, particularly the roads sector, adding that it had already commenced with the construction of the interchange in the Northern Regional capital of Tamale.
Otumfuo’s Angle
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in his remarks, lauded President Akufo-Addo and his government for their commitment in terms of successfully executing the second phase of the Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment Project.
Otumfuo, who is celebrating his 20th Anniversary, said categorically that the Central Market Redevelopment Project would go a long way to improve businesses and create wealth for the people.
He charged the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to ensure that traders that were ejected from Kejetia before the commencement of the first phase of the project would be given back their stores to ensure peace.
The Asantehene also said traders that would be affected by the second phase of the project should also be properly relocated to the newly constructed Kejetia to pave way for the project.
Otumfuo sternly warned that he would not tolerate any attempts to replace eligible traders with different people in the allocation of stores at Kejetia, saying that the right thing should be done.
“I will not allow anybody to indulge in any illegality that would dent the image of myself and the President,” the Asantehene declared, calling for support for the second phase of the central market project.
From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi