Demolition of Kumasi Central Market
Demolition of the Kumasi Central Market has began (March 15, 2021) under the auspices of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and through their contractors , Contracta (the Brazilian construction firm). The demolition is meant to clear the site for construction of the second phase of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project. The KMA had served notice to traders who have been based in the market for years - some for generations of their family, but the traders have been protesting the “KMA’s failure to relocate them to a proper place for business”( Awuku Malik, 2021)
Timeline:
March 9, 2021: “Angry traders at the Kumasi Central Market, on Tuesday, forcibly removed barricades erected to bar them from entering the market as a deadline elapsed for them to voluntarily relocate. The traders however claim the KMA failed to make proper arrangements for their relocation. Traders who claim their goods had been locked up at the market forcefully removed the barricade to start trading. The KMA made arrangements at the Afia Kobi Market purposely for the traders’ relocation. The traders however have concerns with the trading space. A team of police and military personnel has arrived at the market to ensure law and order.” (Awuku Malik, 2021)
February 22, 2021: “Traders at the Kumasi Central Market have embarked on a protest over claim they are being forcibly ejected without proper relocation arrangement by the city authority. The Metropolitan Assembly has asked the traders to evacuate to pave way for the second phase of the Kejetia redevelopment project. But, the leadership of the traders, however, says they will not move until they have alternative space to trade” (Adom Fm, 2021)
April 7, 2020: “The Kumasi Central Market, West Africa’s largest open-air market, has been closed down with immediate effect. “After a lengthy deliberation on the effects of the actions of some recalcitrant traders, it was unanimously agreed that the Central Market be closed down in the interim,” a statement issued by the Kumasi Metropolitan Security Council (METSEC), noted. The statement signed by Mr Osei Assibey-Antwi, Chairman of the METSEC said the closure had been necessitated by the traders’ flagrant violation of the government’s health protocols relating to social distancing.” (Ghana News Agency, 2020)