The Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Samuel Pyne, has refuted claims that the Kejetia Market will be closed on December 7, 2024, to allow traders to participate in voting on Saturday.
Speaking to Kumasimail.com, Sam Pyne clarified that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, met with market queens at the Kumasi Centre for National Culture as part of his campaign activities, no suggestion was made to shut down the market on election day by the Manhyia South NPP.
“At the meeting, one of the market queens requested that the market be closed because they had heard rumors of plans to burn the market on voting day. For security reasons, she made this appeal,” Mr. Pyne explained.
He emphasized that Dr. Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, did not respond to the request since he does not hold authority over such decisions. “NAPO couldn’t respond because he is not the Chief Executive of KMA and has no control over the decision-making process,” Mr. Pyne added.
The KMA Mayor further explained that when he joined the meeting, he informed the attendees that closing the market was not an option but assured them that security measures were being enhanced to protect the market.
“It is not true that we told the market women the market would be closed. We have instead taken serious steps to ensure the market is well-protected,” Mr. Pyne reiterated.
The KMA Boss further urged traders and patrons of the market to disregard the press statement allegedly issued by some market queens, describing it as misleading.
Samuel Pyne assured the traders that “The KMA remains committed to ensuring the safety and smooth operation of the market during and after the election period”.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
