Kejetia Market: Ayariga Exposes 25000 To 100000 Subletting Scandal
Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga has revealed massive illegal subletting at Kumasi Kejetia Market where traders acquire stores from the Assembly at 25000 cedis and rent them to others for 100000 cedis. Speaking in Kumasi during a working visit to the Ashanti Region, he said evidence shows the practice is crippling genuine traders and distorting government revenue.
According to Mahama Ayariga, the Assembly allocates shops at subsidized rates to support market women and small businesses, but some beneficiaries turn around to sublet at 4 times the official fee. He described the scheme as exploitative and warned that it defeats the purpose of the 300 million dollar Kejetia redevelopment project funded to modernize trading in Kumasi.
The Minister said his office will audit all allocations and publish a new transparent register. He noted that traders who obtained stores at 25000 cedis and are renting them for 100000 cedis are creating artificial scarcity. The development has forced many original traders onto pavements and led to congestion around Central Market. He ordered the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to enforce tenancy agreements and revoke shops of culprits.
Market allocation in Ghana operates under the Local Governance Act 2016 Act 936. District Assemblies manage stores through tenancy agreements that prohibit subletting without approval. The evergreen explainer is that Energy Commission licensing, Business Operating Permits and Ghana Enterprise Agency registration often require proof of shop tenancy. Traders who sublet illegally risk losing permits. Similar to CSSPS for schools and WASSCE grading for students, market allocation uses a queue and balloting system to ensure fairness, yet middlemen exploit loopholes to profit from high demand.
The Kejetia Market, commissioned in 2018, houses over 8000 stores and remains West Africa’s largest open air commercial enclave. Successive governments have struggled with allocation controversies, fire safety compliance and revenue mobilization. Ayariga’s disclosure aligns with President Mahama’s local government reforms focused on transparency, digital revenue collection and chieftaincy collaboration to curb galamsey and market corruption. Traders have welcomed the probe and called for a public portal to verify legitimate shop owners.
Authorities say the audit will begin in Kumasi before extending to Kaneshie, Kotokuraba and other major markets. Offenders face revocation and prosecution under Assembly bye laws.
Source: #Howedey.com
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Author: Korkor Anumu
