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Alan Kyerematen, the leader of the Afrafranto Movement, voiced his profound regret at the market’s 17-year neglect during a working visit to the Krofrom Market in the Ashanti Region.
The project, which was first started under former President John Agyekum Kufuor, was intended to benefit the Krofrom community as well as nearby communities including Aboabo, Ashanti New Town, and Asawase. However, the market is still a shabby shadow of what it was meant to be after eight years of NDC government and another eight years under the NPP.
“I am deeply saddened that such a project has been neglected for 17 years,” Alan Kyerematen lamented. “This is what the duopolistic winner-takes-all system has done to this country. There are so many projects that have been abandoned to rot in the name of political rivalry between the NDC and NPP. Sadly, these projects were not financed with the money of these political parties. They were financed with taxpayers’ money, and yet they allow them to waste away,” he emphasized, his words resonating with residents and traders alike.
Alan further described the abandonment as an indictment of both major political parties, highlighting the severe impact on Krofrom and its surrounding communities. “If this market were functional, many would not need to crowd the central market. This project could have transformed the lives of traders in this constituency, which, ironically, is home to the running mate of Alhaji Bawumia, Napo,” he added.
If elected president, Alan promised to make the Krofrom Market’s reconstruction a top priority in his Great Transformational Plan (GTP). He presented a bold plan to build one of Ghana’s most advanced marketplaces in Krofrom, complete with basic facilities including a kindergarten, a police station, and a hospital. He promised that this would serve as both a market and a showcase for contemporary community development.
Alan Kyerematen highlighted his larger goal of enabling merchants nationwide, going beyond Krofrom. He reaffirmed his intention to open a special Traders Bank to offer traders reasonably priced loans and other financial assistance. “Many of our traders struggle to grow their businesses and support their families due to a lack of access to affordable credit. My Traders Bank will change that reality and empower traders to achieve their goals,” he pledged.
The announcement of the Traders Bank was met with widespread excitement from market women in the communities he visited. Akosua Agyemang, a trader, remarked, “Alan’s plan to set up a Traders Bank shows that he truly understands our struggles. We need access to affordable loans to grow our businesses and take care of our families.”
Alan also highlighted the importance of decentralizing market activity to decongest the Kumasi Central Market. “Community markets like this are the only way to ease congestion at the central market. If Krofrom Market is fully functional, traders won’t need to go all the way to the central market to earn a living,” he stated.
Alan Kyerematen promised Ghanaians that he will finish abandoned projects throughout the nation before starting new ones under his leadership, demonstrating his dedication to accountability and efficient governance. “I will ensure that all outstanding projects located throughout the nation are finished before any new ones are constructed once Ghanaians give me their mandate.” That’s how we prevent the waste that has afflicted our system for decades and guarantee value for taxpayers’ money,” he said.
As he wrapped up his visit, Alan said he hoped to visit Krofrom again as President of the Republic, presiding over the market’s formal opening. He promised that “the people of Krofrom deserve better and will see real transformation under my leadership.”
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
