Local Government Minister Ayariga pledges to accelerate Kejetia Market Phase II completion

Ghana's Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has thrown his weight behind efforts to complete the second phase of Kumasi's Kejetia Market, visiting the project site on Monday, August 31, 2026, to assess progress and identify obstacles slowing construction.

The ministerial visit marks a significant intervention in a project that has faced delays, with Ayariga engaging stakeholders to understand the specific challenges preventing completion. The Phase II development is seen as crucial for the commercial heartbeat of the Kumasi Metropolis, one of Ghana's most important trading hubs.

Tackling project delays head-on

During his inspection, Ayariga noted that the project faces multiple hurdles that require coordinated action from both government agencies and private stakeholders. He indicated that his ministry plans to work with the Metropolitan Assembly and contractor teams to resolve these obstacles swiftly.

The minister's commitment reflects growing pressure to deliver major infrastructure projects on schedule. Delays in market infrastructure developments can have cascading effects on local traders, the informal sector workforce, and the broader economy of major metropolitan areas like Kumasi.

Ayariga did not provide specific timelines for completion during his visit, but stressed that his ministry would prioritise coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure the project moves forward without further interruption.

Why it matters for Kumasi and Ghana

The Kejetia Market is among West Africa's largest open-air markets and serves thousands of traders and hundreds of thousands of shoppers daily. A modernised Phase II facility would improve trading conditions, reduce congestion, enhance safety standards, and boost the commercial competitiveness of Kumasi as a regional trading centre.

For traders, many of whom operate in cramped and unsanitary conditions, improved market infrastructure directly impacts their livelihoods and business efficiency. For the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, completing major projects like this demonstrates governance capacity and attracts further investment in the region.

The visit also signals that the Local Government Ministry is taking a more active role in monitoring and unblocking stalled projects under its purview. This hands-on approach could set a precedent for ministerial oversight of other delayed infrastructure across Ghana's 16 regions.

Next steps

Ayariga has indicated that he will maintain regular contact with project coordinators to track progress. The minister's engagement with stakeholders during the visit is expected to clarify roles, responsibilities, and realistic timelines for completion.

Traders and residents in Kumasi will be watching closely to see whether the ministerial intervention translates into visible acceleration of construction work in the coming months.