Three New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament and nine other stakeholders have arrived in Brazil on a familiarisation tour of markets in the South American country.
The tour is to facilitate the successful execution of redevelopment of the Kejetia-Central Market in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
Member of Parliament for Subin, Isaac Osei, MP for Bantama, Kwabena Kokofu and the Manhyia South MP, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh were selected among other authorities from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), some traders and other technocrats for the trip.
The trip is to enable the delegation hold discussions with architects, designers and the financiers of the project on basic concerns raised by some traders and other interested parties on the redevelopment project of the Kejetia market.
They are also expected to observe the prototype structure of the project in Brazil and make possible inputs and recommendations to suit the local conditions of Ghana.
Parliament in 2014 approved a budget of over 3 million US dollars for the reconstruction of the Kumasi Kejetia-Central Market.
The project which is expected to be financed jointly by the Brazilian government and a Dutch Bank is in three phases and would be completed within five years..
The market, described as the biggest open market in West Africa, has been in a dire state following frequent fire outbreaks over the years.
The damning situation has rendered the market unsafe for the thousands of people who conduct business daily there.
Numerous promises by successive governments to rebuild the market went unfulfilled until Parliament last year approved a loan agreement for the project.
Despite the wide endorsement of the project by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu and all NPP MPs in the region, traders at Kejetia have kicked out against the redevelopment.
They accuse the city mayor and the assembly for championing their own selfish agenda.
The traders have questioned the inclusion of the terminal in the project as it has not been captured in the discussion over the years.
They argue the terminal has never experienced any fire outbreak to warrant its immediate demolition.
However, Kojo Bonsu says the members of the delegation were selected based on their keen interest in the development of the project.
He emphasised the visit to Brazil will afford members the opportunity to have a general view of the project as it has a similar design constructed in Brazil.
However, MP for Subin Constituency, Isaac Osei after visiting some projects undertaken by the contractor in Brazil expressed his confidence the project was a worthy venture.
The 13 member delegation led by KMA boss, Kojo Bonsu is expected to return to Ghana next Tuesday.
Story by Sao Paulo-Brazil|Kofi Asante Ennin|Nhyira Fm/
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