KMA warns traders against 'extortionists' on new Kejetia market allocations

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has cautioned the public against unscrupulous people extorting monies from traders under the pretext of securing them shops at the yet-to-be completed Kejetia market.

According to the assembly, it has not mandated anybody or group of people to collect money on its behalf for the allocation of shops and therefore urged the public to disregard such individuals, reports Graphic Online’s Daniel Kenu from Kumasi.

A statement signed and issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the KMA, Mr Godwin Okumah Nyame said the assembly has been alerted about the activities of

the unscrupulous individuals and therefore warned the public especially traders to ignore them.

‘The assembly wishes to make it clear to the public that no person, group of persons or organization, has been authorized to collect money on behalf of the KMA for the purposes of allocating stores to traders at Kejetia,’ it said.

The statement said the assembly will soon commence validation of all traders and shop owners, who were registered at the Kejetia Lorry Terminal prior to the commencement of the on-going project.

It said those found to be involved in the alleged extortion will be ‘ruthlessly dealt with by the law.’

‘Also, any trader who will ignore this advice and decides to pay money to any person or group of persons for the purposes of allocation of stores at Kejetia to them, does so at his or her risk,’ the statement said.

The statement said it would continue to engage all stakeholders in the redevelopment of the market at every stage.

The assembly urged traders seeking information on the project to contact the KMA PRO or the Estate Development units.