A group calling itself the Coalition of Trade Unions and Market Associations in the Ashanti Region has announced plans to demonstrate over delays in completing the Kumasi Central Market Phase II project.
The group cited the continued economic hardship facing traders after years of disruption to their businesses due to the stalled project.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 21, 2026, the coalition accused stakeholders of failing to honour repeated assurances that construction on the project would resume after the current administration assumed office.
According to the coalition, many affected traders are still operating from temporary locations, including the Racecourse, Adum and other parts of Kumasi, where they say congestion, inadequate facilities and declining business have made trading increasingly difficult.
The group further argued that the prolonged suspension of work has disrupted livelihoods and placed additional pressure on Kumasi’s central business district.
It called for the immediate resumption of construction on the second phase of the market redevelopment and urged the authorities to use taxes collected from traders as premium payments for the first phase of the market solely to complete the second phase.
To address congestion in Adum and surrounding commercial areas, the coalition called for punitive measures, saying the situation has worsened because displaced traders have been forced to operate from temporary spaces.
According to the coalition, traders’ patience has “been overstretched” and warned that failure to address their concerns could prompt some traders to occupy available spaces in the unfinished market regardless of official allocations.
However, it emphasised that the planned peaceful demonstration would be announced in the coming weeks.
