Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei Mensah has criticized the former president and flagbearer of the NDC John Dramani Mahama, blaming his administration for the congestion and unpleasant conditions plaguing the Kejetia Dubai Market in Kumasi the capital city of the Ashanti Region.
During an interview on Angel FM, Osei Mensah highlighted the adverse effects of Mahama’s policies on the market, which has become a source of frustration for vendors and customers.
According to Osei Mensah, the transformation of the Kejetia area into a market has led to increased congestion and a persistent foul odor, undermining the initial vision for the site.
“The market has a nice edifice, but it’s congested and stinks inside,” he stated during an interview on Angel FM.
He criticized the decision to relocate the previous lorry station that served the central market, arguing that it was not originally intended to function as a market.
The Ashanti Regional Minister highlighted the challenges faced by vendors and customers, noting that while 900 drivers were displaced from the area, only 108 new stations were created for them.
This, he claims, has exacerbated the traffic issues and contributed to the market’s current state.
Kejetia Dubai Market in Kumasi was launched on December 5, 2016, under the erstwhile Mahama administration, under a US$298 million project used in modernizing the trading environment with features like a bus terminal, a fire station, a clinic, and enhanced security measures.
However, the Ashanti Regional Minister Osei Mensah believes the project has failed to deliver on its promises, resulting in chaos and discomfort for those who rely on the market.