After more than two years of being stalled, Phase 2 of the Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment Project is expected to resume next month, the Kumasi Mayor, Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, has announced.

The project began in late 2018 and was initially expected to be completed within 48 months. Work progressed steadily until early 2024, when the project stalled over funding and contractor-related disputes.

The government has since confirmed that work will resume in October 2026.

Speaking during a stakeholder engagement meeting between traders and the Minister responsible for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for Bawku Central in Kumasi, the mayor noted that the government has managed to negotiate with contractors and consultants on the project to resume works in the coming weeks, with funding secured for its subsequent completion.

“We are in absolute terms convinced that this October, the redevelopment of phase two of Kejetia is beginning. We say so because of the kinds of engagement we have done with the consultant and contractor of this project”, he announced.

The Kumasi Mayor, Agyemang Boadi, said the Assembly’s plan for completing the three-phase Kumasi Central Market project is to use revenue generated from each completed phase to finance the next.

According to him, the Assembly has so far generated GH¢89 million from Phase One since the facility was commissioned in 2018.

About Phase 2The second phase is expected to expand and modernise the existing Kejetia complex with additional trading and support facilities.

The completed facility is expected to provide more than 3,760 counter shops, over 6,000 lockable shops and a transport terminal with a capacity for about 600 vehicles.

The €248 million contract for the project was signed in December 2018.

Consultant for the project, Tony Yeboah of Avangarde Design Services, said work has so far reached 68% overall completion.

He said 84% of procurement has been completed, while engineering works are 99% complete and construction works stand at 49%.

Mr Yeboah added that €171 million has so far been paid towards the project since its commencement.

The Kumasi Mayor, Mr Agyemang Boadi, also assured residents and traders of the government’s commitment to completing Phases Two and Three of the project.

“This project is dear to the heart of the President and government. It is one project we have given all our energies to,” he said.

He also dismissed reports that the allocation of stalls at the yet-to-be-completed market has begun.

Mr Boadi cautioned traders against making payments to individuals or organisations claiming to be collecting premiums for stalls on behalf of the Assembly.

Traders and residents of Kumasi are meanwhile hoping for the early completion of the project, which is expected to help ease congestion at the city’s major trading centre.