Traders from the Kumasi Central Market and Second-hand Clothes Traders Union have issued a stern warning of a five-day continuous protest if the second phase of the Kejetia redevelopment project does not resume promptly.

Construction on the project came to a standstill in December 2022, following the withdrawal of the construction firm Contracta from the site.

The traders attribute the cessation of work to the country's debt restructuring agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Despite assurances from the government that construction would recommence after the receipt of the initial tranche of the US$3 billion IMF bailout, progress remains stagnant.

The site is now overrun with weeds and inhabited by reptiles, much to the frustration of the affected trade groups.

Consequently, they have urged the government to swiftly complete the project to fulfill its promises or face the repercussions of their discontent.

“We patiently waited and despite the first and the second tranches hitting the government account, work has still not resumed, leaving the project to the mercy of the weather."

“We feel utterly disappointed in the NPP government for ignoring and neglecting such a huge market complex that feeds many traders who depend on market business to make ends meet,” the said in a statement issued Monday, April 8.

In addition, they warned that if the government does not meet their demand, they will vote against the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming elections.

“We are, therefore, sending a signal to the NPP government that we, the traders in the Ashanti region are vigilant this time round, and they cannot fool or deceive us and later come back to canvas for our votes as the December general elections are approaching. The NPP government must do the needful before the day of reckoning comes,” the statement concluded.