The Kumasi City Market, also known as the New Kejetia Market, has been disconnected from the power grid by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) due to overdue arrears exceeding GH¢2 million.
Although there was a previous agreement to settle the debt, ECG claims the market has defaulted on its payment plan, resulting in the disconnection.
Earlier this year, in April 2024, the market faced a similar power outage, which was resolved after management assured they would meet their payment obligations. A payment plan was subsequently established, but ECG asserts that the market has not complied with it.
Edmond Kofi Duffuor, the Managing Director of the market, contends that they have demonstrated a commitment to settling the debt. “From a total of 9.7 million Ghana cedis as of June, we have paid about 1.7 million Ghana cedis… So why should we be in darkness when we are committed? I’m not paying any other service provider any money. No other person is receiving money from Kejetia Market apart from ECG,” he said.
Duffuor further highlighted the difficulties caused by the power outage, stating, “Buying diesel is so expensive; we are now depending on a generator.”
The traders are appealing to the Local Government Ministry to intervene and resolve the electricity supply issue to ensure the market operates smoothly. Currently, the market is relying on generators, which management considers an unsustainable solution.
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