Kumasi Central Market redevelopment construction works begins

Construction works on the redevelopment of the Kumasi Central Market, said to be the largest in the West African sub-region has started.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II cut the sod for construction works to begin on the Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment Project on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

The construction works, which begins almost immediately is to be completed within 48 months.

It is being constructed with a 248 million Euro facility from the UK Export Finance.

Kejetia Market and lorry terminal 

The opening of the nearby completed Kejetia Market and lorry terminal, the first phase of the project will allow about 8,400 market women at the Kumasi Central Market and the occupants of the old Kejetia shops who have been validated and verified by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to start doing business there.

This is also to help pave way for the demolition and construction of a modern facility for the nearby Kumasi Central Market.

The contractor handling the Kumasi Central Market project is Contracta, with M/S Avangarde Designs Services as Project Management Consultants.

Components

The new market will provide over 10,000 additional stores, 6,500 leasable commercial spaces, 5,400 closed stalls, 800 kiosks, 50 restaurants, 210 stalls for fishmongers and butchers and a 40 livestock stalls.

The project will cover a total construction area of over 172,197m2, total leasable area of 52,701m2 and 44,594m2 parking spots for cars and vans.

The main structure of the building will be pre-manufactured steel structure and beams.

The first tranche of the project is estimated at EUR 82million.

The market will also have essential facilities such as a police and fire station and a hospital.

PICTURE SHOWS: The old Kumasi Central Market

Akufo-Addo 

President Akufo-Addo said the project would provide 900 direct jobs and about 2,500 indirect jobs.

He said the Kumasi Central market project and many other infrastructural facilities across the country demonstrated the commitment of his government to enhancing the economic wellbeing of Ghanaians.

"This is what it means to be a government for all," the president said.

The president assured that he was committed to putting Ghana on the path of progress and prosperity by enhancing living standards of all Ghanaians.

Maternity block at KATH

He seized the occasion to announce that government has approved a 155 million Euro facility to complete the stalled Maternity Block of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital started during the era of Lt Gen Kutu Acheampong in the 1970s.

Asantehene

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged the Kumasi metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to ensure that traders who lost their shops as a result of the phase one of the project at Kejetia should be given priority in the allocation and allotment of the stalls.

He said the relocation of traders from the Central Market to the completed market at Kejetia should be swift.

The Asantehene, however, warned that he will not hesitate to report officials in charge of the allotment and validation process to the president for cancellation if traders were not treated fairly treated.

Statute

The president together with Otumfuo later unveiled an imposing five metre high statue of the Asantehene in front of the redeveloped Kejetia market.

The statue sculpted by Contracta of Brazil is approximately two metres in width.

The brass artwork captures a clean shaven Otumfuo.

Background

The government acting through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development signed a Commercial Contract with M/S Contracta Engenharia Ltd, Brazil, in 2014 to undertake the first phase of the project at Kejetia at a cost of US$259,425,000 which is currently completed.

Project

The execution of this project is to ease congestion at the market and bring an end to the frequent fire outbreaks.

The project also aims at providing infrastructure in the surrounding Central Business Area, making important interventions in the congested road system, organising and giving better conditions for the mobility in the area, allowing the traders to receive their merchandise and customers to reach the area in a safer and more organised way.