The President of the Federation of Kumasi Traders Association, Nana A. Prempeh, has raised concerns over what he describes as inconsistencies in the management structure of the Kejetia Market, calling for clarity and direction in the administration of the facility.
Speaking in an interview with Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso on Opemsuo Radio, he recounted the history of the modernised market, noting that the project was initiated around 2014/2015 and officially commissioned on May 2, 2019, after which traders moved in later that year following allocations.
According to him, the market was initially managed by an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) team, a subsidiary of the Brazilian contractors who constructed the facility, with the expectation that they would manage it for five years and transfer technical knowledge to local managers.
“The idea was that after building the market, the Brazilians would manage it for about five years and transfer the technology to Ghanaians because of the technical nature of the facility,” he stated.
He explained that the arrangement did not fully materialise, as the O&M team exited in September 2020, after which local management took over. A substantive Managing Director was appointed in 2021 and remained in office until 2024.
Nana Prempeh said following the change in government in 2025, an Interim Management Committee (IMC) was set up to oversee operations at the market. However, he noted that the situation has since become complicated with overlapping management structures.
“We had a substantive Managing Director from 2020 to 2024, then an Interim Management Committee was introduced. Now there is also an Acting Managing Director, yet the IMC has not been dissolved,” he said.
He further revealed that traders had earlier submitted a petition to the previous administration over alleged inefficiencies, but they have not been engaged despite the subsequent suspension of the Managing Director.
“We sent a petition because of some inefficiencies, but up to now, no one has called us to hear our concerns, so we don’t believe the suspension is because of our petition,” he added.
Nana Prempeh also raised concerns over reports that the suspended Managing Director continues to receive his salary and has even pursued a salary increment through legal action, arguing that he has not been formally dismissed.
“The person who has been suspended is still receiving his salary, and even went to court for a salary increment because he has not been sacked. This raises serious concerns,” he stated.
He pointed out that recent comments by the Kumasi Mayor suggesting plans to constitute another Interim Management Committee have further deepened uncertainty about the governance of the market.
“The Mayor has indicated that the board is considering bringing another IMC, while there is already one in place. So we are asking, what is the direction of the market?” he questioned.
Nana Prempeh emphasised the need for a clear and consistent management structure to ensure efficient operations, urging authorities to address the concerns of traders and provide decisive leadership for the facility.
Source:
opemsuo.com
