Epistle On The Kejetia Market Fire

Like all cities in the world, trading is a very important venture and trading in Ghana specifically Kumasi is not an exception to that. The Kumasi Central Market which is popularly known as the Kumasi Kejetia market is one of the largest and most notable market across the African sub-region with an admirable records. A very important market as such. This market is situated in the central business district of Ashanti Region as is the second busiest capital in the country.

There are over 15,000 stores and stalls and also with 40,000 traders in the market who hails from different walks of life in the market selling all kinds of wares from used clothing to food to cosmetics. Everything one needs to satisfy human demands is available in this market. It ranges from food and drinks, cosmetics, jewelry, toiletries, fabrics, grains, transport services to every part of the country, only to mention a few. The Kumasi Kejetia market is a great source of revenue to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly as well as the country at large.

There is a great deal of inhumane practice and politically suicidal act of disrespect and to say unprofessional as to the way and manner in which the Kumasi Kejetia market as well as other markets in the district like the Suame, Ejisu, Mampong, Tafo, Ash-Town markets and other prospective markets in the said regions is being managed and controlled by the stakeholders and government upon government.

These markets are of great importance to the country as the internally generated fund from the said sources it’s of a huge sum. If the Kumasi Assembly is to that peg ungrateful and weak as an institution and cannot as a matter of accepted responsibilities and roles help put this market in good shape then it should not boast of calling itself an Assembly because I would boldly compare it to an 18th century women movement. Workers in this markets starts work as early as 4:00am each day to hustle and they are seen just as that, not with a little sense of respect.

Increasingly the market is congested, the trades association in the Kumasi Kejetia market over the years have aired their complains and grievances to those who everyday takes huge sums of taxes from these workers even though the use of the revenues it’s completely unknown. It seems the association is managed by cowards. The traders of the market deserves the very best.

If zeal of zebras is of a zeal then these managers of such markets are just like old women with monophonic management manners. The expansions and renovations which need to be done by this management of the said markets have been delayed till now. Till now that the president of this country even admits things are hard and the masses needs to be smart. Even the highest office of this land is not a bit creative or smart.

These workers over the years has contributed immensely to the accounts of the assembly and they therefore expects the Assembly to be of strength and age to build and renovate the market rather than waiting for the government to pull the structures built by age down and play political tricks with it.

Why should the time to built the market be only when elections is around the corner? The insincere minds of our political folks need the injections of a urea of a hen. When will these markets been pulled down in Ashanti Region and other parts of the country will be ready for business because it’s the same place where people works tirelessly for the good days that never came.

I am not writing this piece to impress my people but to make change. Trading in the business district and other towns is now not as smooth and effective as it used to be because of the numerous demolishing exercises. Fire and sanity management of the market was not a problem the assembly could deal with. If the stools and the clergy from the said district won’t talk about it and rather choose to dance with that judas goat.

I will. The workers on site must be Ghanaians not foreigners, they must be up and doing and finish it before the 2016 elections so it wouldn’t be used for propaganda and the manner in which these stores will be shared when completed and the management of it must all be made to the interest of us all.

The fire service must also advice and educate the sellers and buyers as we are in the dry season to avoid any disaster this year because this john's era is worse. Mr. Politician, we dont want to experience any tension in the region so stop the promises and avoid those thousand votes you boast of. Why a thousand vote? Please Mr. politician, stop playing us a fool and ensure to it that lives and properties are not lost this time.

Derrick Akwasi Brobbey

[email protected] (Offinso College of Education, Offinso)