The Coalition of Trade Unions (CTU) has announced plans to hold a peaceful demonstration to demand the immediate restart of work on the stalled Phase Two of the Kumasi Central Market Project.
In a statement, the coalition expressed frustration over the continued delay, saying the government has failed to fulfil repeated promises to resume construction.
It pointed to assurances from the Minister for Local Government, Rural Development, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs that work would restart and the project would be completed.
According to the CTU, traders expected construction to begin soon after the current administration took office. Instead, the project has remained inactive, leaving many disappointed.
The coalition said the delay has affected the livelihoods of thousands of traders who depend on the market for their businesses. Many are still operating from temporary locations such as the Racecourse, Adum and other parts of Kumasi, where they face unsafe conditions, heavy congestion and declining incomes.
The CTU is demanding the immediate continuation of construction on the project. It also wants the “premium monies” collected from traders during the first phase and kept in accounts at Fidelity Bank and Yaa Asantewaa Rural Bank to be used only for completing the second phase, as originally promised.
The coalition also called on the government to take urgent steps to reduce congestion in Adum and nearby commercial areas. It said the problem has worsened because many traders have not yet returned to the market.
In addition, the CTU argued that government involvement in the daily management of the completed first phase has led to overcrowding and operational challenges. It has therefore proposed that a private operations and maintenance company should manage the facility to improve efficiency and ensure proper maintenance.
The coalition warned that traders are becoming increasingly frustrated with the delays. It cautioned that some may decide to occupy vacant trading spaces or move into unfinished parts of the market without following the official allocation process.
According to the CTU, such actions could increase congestion and create tension within Kumasi’s central business district.
To press home its demands, the coalition said it will organise a large but peaceful protest to draw attention to the concerns of affected traders and urge the government to act. It said it will announce the date and other details of the demonstration in due course.
The CTU urged the government to respond quickly to the challenges facing traders and honour its commitment to complete what it described as an important national infrastructure project.
