By Emmanuel Bamfo 
Traders and residents in Kumasi can finally breathe a giant sigh of relief as construction on Phase 2 of the Kejetia Central Market redevelopment project prepares to resume. After months of frustrating delays, contractors and engineers will officially return to site in October 2026 to push the massive project toward completion.
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, confirmed this major update during a high-level stakeholder engagement in Kumasi. He explained that government secured new financial backing alongside the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to resolve lingering funding bottlenecks.
Unlocking 10,000+ New Trading Spaces for Kumasi The second phase of this multi-million-euro redevelopment will completely transform commercial activities across Kumasi’s Central Business District. The sprawling four-level complex will deliver over 10,500 trading points to house thousands of displaced street vendors and formal traders.
The ground floor features 600 parking spots, transport terminals, bulk-breaking zones, and dedicated storage warehouses. It also houses a crèche, medical clinic, police station, fire post, and administrative offices. Upper floors will accommodate traditional market stalls alongside 6,650 secure lockable shops for medium-scale businesses.
The original 248-million-euro project faced serious delays after expected revenues from Phase 1 fell short of funding subsequent phases. Honorable Ayariga pointed out that some early shop owners sublet GH¢25,000 stalls to struggling traders for up to GH¢120,000.
To protect the state and genuine traders, government will enforce direct market-rate rentals on the new structures. Capturing this revenue directly into public coffers ensures steady financing for Phase 3 without relying heavily on expensive foreign loans.
Strict Warning Against Illegal Shop Sales As excitement builds ahead of the October resumption, city authorities issued a firm warning regarding fraudulent stall allocations. Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi urged the public to report anyone demanding illegal advance payments for future shop spaces.
The assembly reiterated that official shop distribution will begin only after construction fully finishes. With heavy machinery heading back to site next month, Kumasi traders can look forward to a modern, hygienic trading environment very soon.
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Source: Ghana News Page