Traders at the Kejetia Market in Kumasi have called on the management to rescind its decision to close down the market on election day, December 7.The running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, had propose the market be closed when he met with representatives of the market at the Kumasi Culture Centre.

But the Queen Mothers Association have indicated that the closure will greatly disrupt their livelihoods, especially amid the current economic challenges.They further stated that despite submitting petitions to Kumasi Mayor Hon. Samuel Pyne, their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.

They emphasized that shutting down the market on December 7 would worsen their financial hardships, especially since the preceding day, December 6, is a public holiday.

Below is the full statement.

OPPOSITION TO KUMASI KEJETIA MARKET CLOSURE ON ELECTION DAY

December 3, 2024

We, the Kumasi Kejetia Queen Mothers Association, strongly oppose the planned closure of the Kejetia market on election day, December 7, 2024.

This decision follows a request from Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), during a meeting with us at the Kumasi Culture Centre, which we vehemently rejected.

Despite our initial rejection, we have learned that the Kumasi Mayor, Hon. Samuel Pyne, has instructed the market management to proceed with the closure.

We urge the market management to reconsider this decision, considering its detrimental effects on our businesses, especially given the current economic situation and the fact that Friday, December 6, 2024, is a holiday.

As the Market Queen Mothers, we stand against this decision and will fiercely resist any attempt to shut down the market.

We call on the market management to prioritize the welfare of traders and rescind the decision.