Government has, in collaboration with the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, expedited a loan agreement of ¢81 million in a bid to complete the Krofrom Market in the Ashanti region.
The Vice Chairperson for Kumasi City Project, Nana Agyyeinim Boateng I, disclosed that after much deliberation, the Asantehene deemed it necessary to partner with government to give the market a facelift.
“A project of 963, 208 is now 80 million and that’s why we thought that debt equity was just too much, so His Majesty discussed with His Excellency, it cascaded to the Ministry of Finance and Local government and then the two of us decided to come together”.
He further noted that first phase will see close to three thousand stores being completed.
“The first phase will be four contractors, each on the 576 slots which will give us 2,304 stores.”
Ahead of the official start of the project, Manhyia Palace led by the Chief of Amoaman and the Vice Chairman of the Kumasi City Market, Nana Agyenim Boateng I, representing Asantehene begun a traders’ sensitization programme to position stakeholders especially traders, drivers and opinion leaders on the appropriate roadmap ahead of the successful completion of the facility.
Nana Agyenim Boateng explained that, “the King is bent on ensuring better living standards for his people and redeveloping the Krofrom market has been high on the drawing board, so we are here to take stakeholders through the various stages of the project and its specifications to get the buy-in of the people to ensure participatory development”.
The Vice Chair for the Kumasi City Project further assured traders who were occupying the facility before its demolishing in 2008 of the appropriate consideration and attention when completed.
Traders, on the other hand, commended the Asantehene for a timely intervention in the stalled project.
Since last year, traders have taken over pavements, vehicular pathways and every available space to trade, creating serious congestion in the midst of the deadly pandemic Covid-19.
Commenting on the loan facilitation, the market Queen of Krofrom, Nana Akua Kyere expressed excitement about the intervention by the Menhyia but hoped for a lot more transparency in delivery.
“We look forward to transparency from our leaders, all names should be included to ensure equity”.
According to authorities, the intervention will make way for the completion of the market in less than nine months.
“His Majesty has made me to get the list of those people who were here in 2009, published the list to let them see and have the faith and confidence that within three to six months the project will be completed.”
Some traders had earlier expressed worry that the project have been stalled for 12 years as they say the place has become a haven for criminals.
“Criminals have captured the market and some customers feel so afraid to come to the market to buy our goods”.
They are, however, appreciative of Asantehene’s involvement in the market reconstruction.
