With work currently standing at 90%, the 7,000-capacity Nana Afia Kobi II (Abinkyi) Market in Kumasi is set to be handed over to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) for official commissioning by August for full operations to commence.

The project was facilitated by the KMA to absorb displaced traders from the Race Course, for the commencement of work on the proposed Sun City Ghana project.

Mr. Thomas Kwabena Braimah, Managing Director of T&K Enterprise, the contractors undertaking the project on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, says the facility, upon completion, would become the second largest market in Kumasi.

Mr. Patrick Antwi Boasiako, project manager of T&K Enterprise, lead contractors working on the market, said the construction of 5,600 stalls was completed and functioning.

An additional 300 stalls are at advanced stages of construction, with the road network and construction of other ancillary projects such as places of convenience, already completed.

The facility has an adjoining lorry park, which would contain about six transport operators and serve commuters travelling long distances to the market, as well as a point of operation for local transport within the Kumasi metropolis. It also has a convenient loading and off-loading point for cargo trucks.

Mr. Antwi Boasiako said the market, which can house about 10,000 traders, has enough space for the displaced traders from Race Course.

He said a relocation committee set up by the KMA was working tirelessly to ensure the smooth transition of all traders to the Nana Afia Kobi II Market by the end of the year.

The KMA, which has since June last year made efforts to resettle traders who had to relocate from the Race Course, is hopeful that the construction of the Nana Afia Kobi II Market would help to decongest the principal streets of Kumasi, which are currently choked with traders.

Meanwhile, the KMA has directed that all traders who have acquired market stalls at the Abinkyi Market are to take full occupation.