Kejetia petty Traders Plead with Otumfuo, President Mahama, Dr. Amoakohene and Mayor Ofori-Agyeman to Secure Their Share in Phase Two Stores

choicenewsonline4 weeks ago

80 3 minutes read

Members of the Kejetia Petty Traders Association have made a passionate appeal to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and the Mayor of Kumasi Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman, to intervene on their behalf to ensure that they are fairly included in the allocation of stores under the ongoing Kejetia Redevelopment Phase Two Project.

According to the traders, for more than a decade they have been struggling to make ends meet after being evacuated from the old Kejetia terminal to pave way for the construction of the modern Kejetia Phase One Market. They explained that before the evacuation, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) undertook a full registration exercise of all traders with an assurance that they would be allocated stores once the project was completed. However, after the completion of Phase One, only a few members of the association benefited, leaving the majority without a place to trade.

Speaking during the Association’s End-of-Year meeting at Kejetia, the Chairman of the Kejetia Petty Traders Association, Mr. Emmanuel Kwarteng, expressed deep frustration over the continuous neglect of his members. He said many of them have since been forced to trade in unsafe and unauthorized areas, exposed to the scorching sun and rain, in conditions that threaten their health and safety.

“We have suffered for years after being displaced from the old Kejetia terminal. Before the redevelopment started, city authorities registered all of us and promised to relocate us after completion. Sadly, only a few of our members got stores in Phase One while the rest of us were left out. Today, we are appealing to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and the Kumasi Mayor Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman to intervene and ensure that we are included in the allocation of stores in the Kejetia Phase Two Project,” Mr. Kwarteng pleaded.

He noted that the situation has caused great economic hardship among the affected traders, many of whom are single parents and breadwinners struggling to survive. He added that despite numerous petitions and engagements with city authorities, their concerns have not been adequately addressed, leaving them feeling abandoned.

Mr. Kwarteng further emphasized that the Association holds unwavering faith in the leadership and fairness of His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, whose interventions have consistently brought unity and justice among traders in the Ashanti Region. He expressed optimism that Otumfuo’s involvement, together with the support of President Mahama, Dr. Amoakohene, and Hon. Ofori-Agyeman, would bring lasting relief to their plight.

“We believe Otumfuo, President Mahama, and our regional leaders will listen to our cry and ensure that justice is served. We have endured enough hardship, and all we are asking for is fairness. We do not want to be left behind again when the Phase Two project is completed,” he stated.

The chairman also appealed to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Kejetia market management to engage the Association in open dialogue and transparent processes as the allocation of Phase Two stores draws nearer. He assured that the traders are ready to cooperate fully with the authorities to ensure smooth and peaceful allocation once the project is completed.

Mr. Kwarteng concluded by calling on the government and the city leadership to recognize the vital contribution of the petty traders to Kumasi’s economy, noting that the Kejetia Petty Traders Association forms an essential part of the city’s commercial fabric.

The Kejetia Petty Traders Association, which has existed for decades, comprises hundreds of traders dealing in various commodities including textiles, household goods, and food items. The Association remains hopeful that the intervention of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, President John Dramani Mahama, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman will finally restore hope, fairness, and dignity to their members as the Kejetia Phase Two Project nears completion.