$298 million Kejetia-Central Market to take off

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to break the grounds any time soon for the construction of the first phase of $298 million Kumasi-Central Market reconstruction project in Kumasi.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Alhaji Collins Dauda, announced this during a familiarization visit ahead of the commencement of the project in Kumasi.

The visit was to help him get a firm grip on the latest development on the preparatory works, the relocation of the traders and help address outstanding issues between the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the traders before the President’s arrival.

The minister expressed delight at the level of work and effort the KMA has invested into the project and hope it would go well.

Alhaji Collins Dauda promised government’s full support for the project and urged the traders to ‘look at the bigger picture’ rather than trying to want to scuttle the project.

He toured the project site in the company of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Peter Anarfi Mensah, a deputy minister of Local Government, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum and Michael B. Ataogye of the KMA.

The first phase which will focus on the Kejetia market, is expected to cost $198 million.

Government through parliament secured the Brazilian loan last year to re-build the fire-prone market which will be the biggest in the sub-region.

Construction is being undertaken by a Brazilian firm, Contructa.