The Combined Kumasi Central Market Union has urged CONTRACTA Construction Company to reverse its planned closure of its Kumasi headquarters, warning that shutting down would heavily impact thousands of merchants waiting for the stalled Kejetia Phase II Market Project to finish.
Union Secretary Madam Amelia Koffie voiced deep anxiety regarding reports that the construction firm is withdrawing from Kumasi due to extensive government funding delays.
The traders also lamented the recent termination of roughly 150 CONTRACTA employees, a downsizing triggered by these ongoing financial bottlenecks.
This situation has fueled immense worry among local merchants, particularly those who surrendered their original shops and livelihoods to allow the redevelopment to begin.
In a formal petition, the Union praised CONTRACTA for maintaining excellent stakeholder relations, providing consistent project updates, and addressing community grievances promptly.
They also lauded the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, such as organizing free medical screenings for market women covering blood pressure and kidney health.
The traders emphasized that the Kumasi office is their sole information hub; closing it would completely cut off vital communications.
While the Union expressed frustration over the state’s failure to release funds—which has severely strained CONTRACTA—they promised to lobby the government to expedite payments so construction can resume.
“We therefore respectfully plead with the management of CONTRACTA Construction Company to reconsider its decision and keep its Kumasi offices operational while efforts are made to resolve the funding challenges surrounding the project,” the petition stated.
The traders reaffirmed their gratitude for CONTRACTA’s enduring cooperation and transparency during this period of stagnation.
Accepting the petition on behalf of CONTRACTA, company consultant Mr. Emmanuel Kwadwo Danso promised to escalate the traders’ grievances to top management.
He thanked the Union for their ongoing partnership and trust, ensuring them that the company would carefully review the petition, communicate the concerns regarding the office closure and the project’s future to the proper channels, and remain committed to open dialogue while resolving these challenges.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
