Traders affected by the stalled Kejetia Phase II Market redevelopment in the Ashanti Region have appealed to construction firm CONTRACTA not to close its Kumasi office amid prolonged delays in government funding for the project.
The petition, presented on Tuesday, June 9,2026, by the Combined Kumasi Market Union, comes after reports that CONTRACTA is considering shutting its local office due to financial difficulties linked to the delayed release of funds for the multi-million-dollar market project.
The traders also expressed concern over the recent dismissal of about 150 workers by the company as part of efforts to reduce operational costs while construction remains suspended.
“We are here to plead with them not to close their offices,” said Emelia Kwofie Asare, Secretary of the Combined Kumasi Central Market Traders Union, after presenting the petition to company representatives.
“As ultimate beneficiaries of the Phase II project, we will continue to press the government to honour its obligations so that work can resume immediately,” she stated.
Construction of the Kejetia Phase II Market, expected to expand trading facilities and boost commercial activity in Kumasi, has been stalled for several months due to funding challenges.
Thousands of traders who were relocated to make way for the redevelopment have been affected by the delay, with many operating under temporary arrangements or struggling to maintain their businesses.
Asare said traders feared that a closure of CONTRACTA’s Kumasi office and continued staff layoffs could further delay the project’s completion even if funding is released.
“Even if work resumes today, it will take time to reassemble the workforce,” she said, urging authorities to expedite payments owed to the contractor.
The traders acknowledged the company’s continued engagement with market users throughout the suspension of work, noting that CONTRACTA had regularly provided updates on developments and organised health screening programmes for traders.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the company, CONTRACTA consultant Emmanuel Danso confirmed receipt of the document and pledged to forward it to the firm’s management.
“We’ve received the letter from the leadership. The content will be forwarded to the head office, and whatever comes out of it, we will get back to them,” Danso said.
He observed that the project falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Local Government and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, adding that copies of the petition had also been sent to regional and local authorities.
The traders expressed hope that government intervention and the release of outstanding funds would allow construction to resume and lead to the completion of the project, which is seen as critical to improving trading conditions and creating economic opportunities in Kumasi.
By Benjamin Aidoo
