Kumasi: Traders call for removal of Kejetia Market manager

Traders at the Kumasi Kejetia Market are calling for the removal of Kofi Duffour, the Managing Director of Kumasi City Market Limited (KCML), accusing him of mismanagement and divisive actions.

The Combined Kejetia Central Market Traders’ Associations claim Duffour has failed to provide support for traders affected by the March 2023 fire, mishandled funds meant for victims, and collaborated with certain individuals to create splinter groups, undermining the unity of the market.

Tensions have been rising since one Nana Yaa Oforiwaa, a headperson at the market, unilaterally claimed leadership and misappropriated donations, furthering divisions.

“Nana Yaa Oforiwaa was nowhere to be found in those trying times”, said Rueben Amey who addressed a press conference on Tuesday (25 June).

“The market was to be closed for an extra week, Nana Yaa Oforiwaa was never available to lead or help oppose this inhumane move. It took the combined traders’ leadership to appeal to higher authorities to intervene. God being so good help through the Asante Regional Minister who spoke to the vice-president about it because he was in Kumasi around that time. Luckily the vice-president listened and asked that part of the market that was not affected be open for trading which necessary steps are taken to rebuild and open up the affected area. On that visit, the vice-president pledged support to the victims of the fire.”

“After some time, the pledge of the NPP was not materializing so the combined traders’ leadership made a follow up then the 100000 from the NPP was brought. Combined traders’ leadership in collaboration with the fire victims and KCML management with support for the Ghana National Fire Service which had a station there made sure the GHC200,000 cash that been got was shared among the victims.

“Interestingly the publicly donated money to support the fire victims was shared among the victims with the full involvement of the MD who signed to affirm the document used to share the money in the full glare of the media. It is therefore repulsive to hear anyone say today that the monies that came in for the fire victims were left in the late Obeng account and not given out. For that we will leave it to the legal system to give us redress”, Amey stated.

Dodgy dealings

“One may ask what has prompted us to get to this point. The MD came to meet combined traders here. He was introduced to us formerly and we introduced to him formerly at the crèche. We released the clandestine move of the MD when he connived with one of our traders Nana Franko to introduce a parallel security to check hawking food vendors.

“And also sell ID cards to hawkers who wish to sell here in Kejetia without informing any of the stakeholders about it. When combined traders got wind of it and tried stopping it the MD claimed innocent but upon our further checks, he had it planned out. That was the beginning of the planned frustration and end game of getting combined traders extinct. We wish to ask some questions of the MD and demand thorough investigations into them.”

Demands

The traders demand transparency and accountability, urging authorities to act swiftly to restore order and trust in the market’s management.

“We the Combined Traders Association reiterate that we do not want Mr Kofi Duffour in Kejetia any longer as the Managing director. Authorities can bring anyone else but him. If this call will not be taken, we will advise ourselves going forward”, Amey hinted.

Reporting By Jonathan Ofori, Asaase Newsroom, Kumasi

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