The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council will soon announce the sale of stalls at the stalled Krofrom Market redevelopment project to raise funds for its completion, according to Ashanti Regional NDC Chairman Augustus Andrews Nana Kwasi.
In an exclusive interview on Fakye TV’s DayBreak morning show hosted by Kojo Marfo, Nana Kwasi revealed that funding was not available when the current administration took office, but authorities are committed to seeing the project through.
“Krofrom market, to be honest with you there was no funding available when we came to office, but we’ve promised Ghana and Asanteman to complete what is dear to their hearts, so we still keep our promise that we are going to complete it,” Nana Kwasi indicated.
The regional chairman noted that while he couldn’t divulge all government details, the contractor has already returned to site. Officials have agreed to sell the stores transparently, with government support, to secure the necessary funds.
He stated, “And in order to complete the stalled market, authorities have met and agreed to sell the stores to raise money, and the government owns support to the project in order to complete it.”
“I’m sure in the coming weeks it would be announced, and it will be transparent,he stressed adding “Anyone wanting some can buy in order to raise funds to complete the project. From next week onwards, the minister and KMA will come out for everyone to know the price to pay, he affirmed.
He cautioned the public against scams, urging buyers to deal only with official representatives.
“Don’t pay any money to just anybody unless it’s a government representative who will give you a government receipt,” he stressed.
“We beg the public, they shouldn’t pay any money to just anybody. We don’t want any disgrace. We know Ghanaians want it, so they will buy.”
Background:
The Krofrom Market project was first initiated in 2007 under former President John Agyekum Kufuor. It was designed to accommodate more than 500 shops and serve as a major commercial hub to ease congestion within Kumasi’s Central Business District.
However, the project was halted in 2008 following financial constraints, leaving the site abandoned and overgrown.
In recent years, the stalled project has become a symbol of unfulfilled promises to local traders. President John Dramani Mahama, about seven months ago, expressed his intention to revive the market as part of the government’s Market Enhancement Programme, which aims to redevelop 18 major trading centres nationwide.
During a visit, he described the market’s condition as “disheartening” and assured traders of swift action.
Addressing concerns about project funding, Dr. Amoakohene clarified that funds have already been allocated under the government’s “24-Hour Economy Markets Initiative” since the first quarter of 2025.
“This is not money we are now looking for,” he explained.
“Payments have already started, but we had to ensure proper due diligence. The previous contract proposals had excessive variations some exceeding 80 percent of the original cost which required a re-award process to ensure accountability and transparency,” he stressed.
According to the Minister, the government wants to avoid irregularities by drafting a new contract with revised clauses before releasing funds.
Source: www.Kumasimail.com
