The Chief Executive Officer of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Samuel Pyne, has announced that the government has released funds for the stalled central market project to resume.

Contrata, the construction firm, had left the site and terminated staff appointments, leaving only security and top management.

However, he revealed that the project cannot be completed before the 2024 general elections.

“We had a recommencement meeting last week Thursday, 18 July 2024, in Kumasi. Since they left about 13 months ago, there’s a need for them to re-engage workers. Re-engaging them, there’s the need for them to go through medical tests so they have given themselves three weeks, that is about 3rd to 4th August 2024, to conclude the process,” he said.

He explained that the firm will resume full operation next month. The primary focus will be to complete the portions where they didn’t finish with the floor concrete works and the installation of the stores.

“At the moment, they have all the materials for the shops ready so they are doing a re-assessment of the materials that they left on site to confirm if they are fit for purpose on the project because the finance minister has given them a comfort letter, assurance letter and assurance of prompt payment.”

The €248 million project, which began in May 2019, was expected to be finished within 48 months. But, due to the government’s debt restructuring program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the project has been delayed for 13 months.

Traders affected by the project had protested against the government, threatening to vote against the ruling party in the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

After successful renegotiation with the IMF, funds have been released for the project to resume.

The completed project will feature 6,500 leasable commercial spaces, 5,400 closed stores, 800 kiosks, 50 restaurants, and other essential facilities such as a fire service office, police station, and mini theater.

Despite the resumption of work, the KMA Boss Sam Pyne stated that the project is unlikely to be completed within the next five months, before the 2024 elections.

“The project should have been ready by February this year. We have wasted or delayed about 13 months and therefore, if there’s even going to be a crash of the program on-site, I know it is not going to be 3, or 4 months’ work. The work will go beyond 5 months so I can’t give the exact time that the program will end but to be honest with you, we can’t conclude the work on site before the elections.”