Kejetia Petty Traders Clean Up Ahead of Eswatini King’s Visit – Chairman Appeals for Stall Access

Kejetia Petty Traders Clean Up Ahead of Eswatini King’s Visit – Chairman Appeals for Stall Access

Chairman and founder of the Kumasi Kejetia Petty Traders Association, Emmanuel Kwarteng, led a massive cleanup exercise at the Kejetia market on Sunday, ahead of the anticipated visit of the King of Eswatini.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Kwarteng explained that the exercise was not a one-off event, but part of their regular social corporate responsibility. He noted that the call for a clean environment by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, aligns with their values and routine efforts to maintain sanitation in and around the market.

“As traders, we already take cleaning seriously. It’s part of our duty. So when the call came because of the King’s visit, we were happy to do it,” he said.

Mr. Kwarteng further revealed that many of the people who litter the area are those without permanent stalls. He believes that providing stalls for petty traders in the upcoming Phase II of the Kejetia redevelopment project will help reduce littering and street congestion.

“Some of us petty traders also have the means to pay for stalls. Being a petty trader doesn’t mean you are poor. If we are given space inside the market, we’ll do business properly, pay our taxes, and stop selling by the roadside,” he added.

He appealed to the authorities overseeing the second phase of the Kejetia project to make space available for petty traders. According to him, doing so will not only improve cleanliness but also help increase tax contributions for national development.

Story by Sibo Yamoah