Traders at the Kejetia Market in Kumasi have rejected a proposal to close its doors on election day, December 7, 2024, arguing that the closure will severely impact their livelihoods, particularly in the current challenging economic climate.

The rejection comes after Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), raised the suggestion during a meeting with representatives of the market at the Kumasi Culture Centre.

But in a statement on December 3, the concerned traders dismissed the proposal stating that they saw no justification for such a move.

Despite this initial rejection, the traders claim that the Kumasi Mayor, Samuel Pyne, has instructed the market management to enforce the closure on election day.

The traders stressed that the closure of the market on December 7 would exacerbate their financial struggles, particularly as the preceding day, Friday, December 6, is a public holiday.

Below is the full statement.

OPPOSITION TO KUMASI KEJETIA MARKET CLOSURE ON ELECTION DAY

December 3, 2024

We, the Kumasi Kejetia Queen Mothers Association, strongly oppose the planned closure of the Kejetia market on election day, December 7, 2024.

This decision follows a request from Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), during a meeting with us at the Kumasi Culture Centre, which we vehemently rejected.

Despite our initial rejection, we have learned that the Kumasi Mayor, Hon. Samuel Pyne, has instructed the market management to proceed with the closure.

We urge the market management to reconsider this decision, considering its detrimental effects on our businesses, especially given the current economic situation and the fact that Friday, December 6, 2024, is a holiday.

As the Market Queen Mothers, we stand against this decision and will fiercely resist any attempt to shut down the market.

We call on the market management to prioritize the welfare of traders and rescind the decision.