3rd Ashanti Business Merit Awards held in Kumasi

The third edition of the Ashanti Business Merit Awards and Conference was held last Friday at the Lancaster Hotel in Kumasi, bringing together business leaders, government officials, traditional authorities and members of the diplomatic corps to celebrate business excellence and highlight the region’s investment potential.

Held under the theme, “Recognizing Ashanti as Ghana’s Central Business Hub,” the forum was organised by The Business Executive Media Group (BEMG) to recognise outstanding contributions by businesses, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and public institutions in the Ashanti Region.

The event also provided a platform for stakeholders to explore investment opportunities, strengthen business partnerships and promote Ashanti as a major commercial and economic centre in Ghana.

Among the local business leaders recognised was Evans Oppong, Chief Executive Officer of E-One Trading, who received the award for Most Outstanding Personality in the Distribution of Consumer Goods.

The event was attended by traditional authorities and elders, government officials, Members of Parliament, corporate executives and members of the diplomatic corps.

Addressing the gathering, the Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Kwasi Ofori Boadi Agyemang, highlighted efforts by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to position the city as a clean, sustainable and business-friendly environment.

He, however, acknowledged that Kumasi’s growing status as an economic hub had brought challenges, including migration-driven population growth and congestion, which continue to place pressure on the city’s infrastructure.

He said the Assembly was committed to addressing these challenges through infrastructure development and the implementation of key projects aimed at improving commercial activities and easing congestion.

The Mayor identified the Kejetia/Kumasi Central Market Redevelopment Project (Phase II), which had stalled, as one of the major projects being prioritised by the Assembly to ease congestion in the Central Business District (CBD).

Hon. Agyemang, popularly known as King Zuba, said stakeholder engagements and site inspections had been undertaken by government officials to facilitate the project’s resumption.

He added that the financial and implementation arrangements had been finalised, expressing optimism that work on the project would soon resume.

On the Krofrom Market Project, which has remained stalled since 2007, the Mayor said the Assembly was working to reactivate, remodel and redesign the facility into a modern, mall-style market.

According to him, the KMA has secured GH¢100 million to support the project, which will include road works, parking facilities, internal paving, general infrastructure and additional market blocks.

He said the project was expected to be implemented under a 24-hour programme timeline, with the aim of completing the planned works.

The Mayor further disclosed that other local and satellite markets, including the Race Course and Abinkyi markets, were being considered for redevelopment through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

He explained that the proposed interventions would focus on improving security perimeters, upgrading road infrastructure and strengthening monitoring systems to ensure safer commercial activities and promote trade across the metropolis.

Pix 1: Mayor Ofori Boadi Agyemang addressing the forum

Pix 2: Nana Boakye Yam, Chief of Nkwantakese, presents an award to a businessman

Pix 3: An awardee receives an award from the Kumasi mayor

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