Political leaders visit Kumasi market
Leading political figures from the Ashanti Region joined forces to assure traders at the burnt Kumasi Central Market that no one would be short-changed when the reconstruction of the market is completed.
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They are the Ashanti Regional Minister, the Minister of Local government and the Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolis. At least 20 of the 47 Members of Parliament (MPs) from the region also visited the market.
MPs from both sides of the political divide were there to console and empathise with the perplexed traders - most of whom have completed temporary structures to kick-start brisk business.
Last Friday, the MPs unanimously approved $172.5 million out of a-259 million Brazilian loan for the construction of the first phase of a modern market in six months.
According to experts, when completed, the market complex, with offices, banks and other auxiliary offices, would become the biggest in the sub-region.
The Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong; the Local Government Minister, Mr Julius Debrah; the MCE, Mr Kojo Bonsu, and the MPs all took turns to address the traders.
And the common thread that ran through their speeches was that everything would be done to safeguard their future and to ensure that they were not deprived of their livelihood.
The MPs said they were united in confronting the challenge ‘and it was not time for partisan politics.’
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The legislative team, which included Dr Akoto Afriyie, the MP for Kwadaso; Atta Boafo, Adansi Fomena, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Manhyia; Isaac Osei, Subin; Elizabeth Agyepong, Oforikrom, and Patricia Apeigyie, Asokwa, together with the minister’s contingent, toured other parts of the market to interact with the traders.
A committee made up of representatives of the traders, MPs, the assembly, the Regional Co-ordinating Council and the security agencies, is expected to be formed soon to agree on modalities before the project takes off.
About 100 shops were burnt to ashes at the Kumasi Central Market last week Thursday.