A market constructed in Kwaso within the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region to enhance economic activities and ease traders’ burdens has been left unoccupied, four years after its completion. Despite its GHC890,000 price tag, the facility stands empty while traders continue to operate by the roadside.
Juliet Nsiah, a trader, explained the reluctance to use the market, citing customer preferences as a key factor. “Some of us used to occupy the market, but upon realizing that those by the roadside were attracting almost all the customers, we decided to join them too. The only way to force us back to the market is when the local authorities put in place measures to stop anyone from trading by the roadside,” she suggested.
This issue was highlighted during an inspection by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) on petroleum revenue-funded projects. Ransford Tetteh, a PIAC member, expressed disappointment over the situation, questioning the value for money when public funds are not utilized effectively.
In response, the Ejisu Municipal Assembly has promised to take steps to make the market fully operational. David Ameyaw, the Municipal Engineer, assured PIAC that traders who fail to use their allocated spaces within a set period will have their spaces reassigned to others who are willing to occupy them.
The inspection also covered other projects in the area funded by oil revenue, including roundabouts from KNUST to Boadi, decongestion efforts along the Ejisu section of the N6, and rehabilitation work on the Ejisu-Abankro-Abira road, which collectively received GHC12 million.
PIAC observed that these projects were executed without involving local authorities, limiting oversight and effective monitoring. “The lack of involvement of local assemblies in executing petroleum revenue-funded projects is problematic,” Mr. Tetteh emphasized, urging greater collaboration between central and local governments to ensure value for money.
As authorities work toward operationalizing the Kwaso market, questions remain about the effectiveness of public spending and the need for tighter collaboration on infrastructure projects.