"Nobody should dare pressure Mahama" — Queen Mothers fire back at NPP-aligned traders at Kejetia

Tensions are escalating within the CBD of Kumasi as a coalition of queenmothers of traders has launched a fierce rebuttal against a group that is demanding swift action from President John Dramani Mahama over the delayed second phase of the Kejetia-Central Market redevelopment.

The angry response comes just weeks after a group of traders, reportedly aligned with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) held a press conference blasting the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for what they described as delayed progress on the project.

But at a heated counter press conference on Wednesday, the queen mothers did not hold back.

Leading the charge, spokesperson Grace Agyei Darko fires the NPP-traders, questioning their credibility and motives. “Nobody should dare put pressure on Mahama,” she declared bluntly.

“Where were these people when the NPP had eight full years and failed to complete this same project?” she quizzes.

She accused the previous NPP administration of mismanaging the market redevelopment, alleging unfair allocation of shops that sidelined several long-time traders who had shops at the old Kejetia market.

“They had their chance and they failed traders in Kumasi,” she said. “Now they want to turn around and make noise?”

Grace Agyei Darko also defended the track record of the NDC, pointing to the successful completion of the first phase of the Kejetia project and the construction of satellite markets in areas like Atonsu and Asawase.

According to her, the renewed pressure on President Mahama is not only premature but politically motivated.

“Mahama is working. He will deliver. We trust him,” she insisted. “No amount of propaganda or pressure will rush him unfairly.”

The coalition’s strong words highlight deepening divisions among trader groups in Kumasi, with the future of the Kejetia market project becoming an increasingly politicized flashpoint.