Osei Assibey Antwi
Some traders in the Kumasi Central Market have openly declared their support for the redevelopment of the market.
The central market is to be reconstructed by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to open up the market for economic activities.
According to the traders, the benefits of the reconstruction far outweigh their personal benefits and will therefore want the expansion project to go on.
The traders said the old market had become outmoded with its attendant problems like periodic fire outbreaks which pose danger to their businesses.
The traders, who spoke on some Kumasi-based FM stations, argued that a modern central market in the city would greatly improve their businesses, ensure security and also curb the unnecessary fire outbreaks in the market.
The support for the redevelopment of the old market by some of the traders contradicts with the stand taken by other traders who are against the reconstruction.
Some angry traders in the market some few days ago attempted to destroy iron sheets used to barricade the market to ensure that the reconstruction takes place, but they were stopped by some armed policemen.
The traders who are in favour of the project condemned the actions of their colleagues, stressing that the city authorities have been clothed with the powers to do what will help residents and open up trade in the city.
According to the traders, KMA has made the necessary arrangements to relocate all affected traders to other satellite markets in the city to do their businesses.
The KMA had indicated that affected traders would be relocated to Abinkyi Market and the Race Course Market.
“The KMA had worked tirelessly to secure places for us at the Abinkyi and Race Course markets so these traders who have been making noise hate the progress of Kumasi,” one trader said.
The traders said they were aware that the funds for the reconstruction of the market have been disbursed so they would continue to support the project to ensure its successful completion.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi