Stores around the Kumasi Sports Stadium which were closed about nine months ago for renovation works towards the Africa Under-20 soccer tournament early this year, have now been re-opened.

Most of the demolished structures have been replaced and bar operators and store owners have begun brisk business.

A source close to the Stadium Stores Association told the Ghana News Agency that after the association had re-negotiated with the National Sports Council (NSC), the store owners were asked to pay one million cedis each as goodwill before they could operate.

According to the source, the goodwill is subject to review every three years.

Each of the 60 store owners was asked to pay 500,000 cedis to the NSC by the end of last September and the balance to be paid by the end of January next year.

In addition, there will be a rent increase for a store from 10,000 cedis to 30,000 cedis as from next January.

Mr. Sammy Ashe, Ashanti Regional Sports Development Officer, confirmed that negotiations between the association and the NSC had already taken place and they were awaiting directives from Accra on the modalities for the release of the stores.