Kejetia Petty Traders Hold 10th Anniversary Memorial for Departed Members, Appeal to Government Over Redevelopment Store Allocation

The Kejetia Petty Traders Association has held a solemn memorial service to mark the 10th anniversary of the passing of over 100 of its members, who reportedly died under distressing conditions while struggling to earn a living under harsh and unregulated trading environments.

The memorial ceremony, held within the Kejetia enclave, was attended by scores of traders, families of the departed members, and association leaders, who used the occasion not only to remember the dead but to highlight the continued plight of those still alive.

Speaking to the media during the memorial event, the Chairman of the Kejetia Petty Traders Association, Mr. Emmanuel Kwarteng, painted a bleak picture of their current situation. He revealed that the association, which once boasted a membership of 2,283 traders, has seen its numbers drastically reduced to just 793 due to the difficult conditions under which many have operated in recent years.

Out of the 793 current members, Mr. Kwarteng said only 160 have been allocated permanent trading spaces within the redeveloped Kejetia Market. The remaining 632 members continue to operate from unsafe and unsanitary locations — on the roadside, under temporary sheds, and in the open, exposed to harsh weather conditions such as heavy rains and scorching sun.

“This frustration, the hardship, and lack of a proper place to trade have sadly contributed to the deaths of over 100 of our members over the years. It is very painful and heartbreaking,” he lamented.

The Chairman explained that their contribution to the development of the city should not be overlooked. According to him, every member of the association pays a daily ticket fee of GH¢3 to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), which significantly supports the Assembly’s revenue generation.

“We have never defaulted in paying the KMA trading tickets. That means we are not only lawful traders but also major contributors to the city’s internally generated funds. We deserve better. We are appealing to the government, especially President John Dramani Mahama, the Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and the Kumasi Mayor Hon. Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi to intervene,” he said.

The leadership of the association is therefore calling on the relevant authorities to take into consideration the sacrifices and losses suffered by the group — particularly the lives lost — and ensure that they are not left out in the allocation of stores under the Kejetia Redevelopment Phase Two Project.

Some members who spoke at the event shared emotional experiences, stressing the daily risks and indignity they endure. They described how they continue to trade in open and dangerous environments where they face potential accidents, exposure to the elements, and health challenges. According to them, these harsh conditions have not only affected their businesses but have also contributed to many of the deaths the association is mourning.

They called on the government to remember their years of sacrifice and loyalty to the city. Many traders emphasized that they are not asking for luxury but for fairness — a safe and decent place to trade so they can earn an honest living without risking their lives.

They also appealed for transparency in the allocation of shops under the second phase of the redevelopment project, stressing that those who have consistently supported the Assembly through ticket payments and lawful trading must not be ignored.

Mr. Kwarteng reiterated that the association is not seeking preferential treatment but is simply requesting its fair share of stores so its members can operate in dignity and safety.

“We have suffered enough. We have buried too many of our members. We are pleading with the government and city authorities to come to our aid now,” he added passionately.

The memorial service ended with prayers, a roll call of some departed members, and a strong message from the leadership: that the legacy of those who passed will only be honoured if the living are treated with fairness and dignity.