The administration of Kumasi City Market has been instructed to put a stop to the planned elections for market leaders by Queen Mother of the Ashanti Kingdom, Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom ll.
According to the Asantehemaa, the market already has over 70 commodities queens in charge of running its daily operations, thus the market management's intention to elect new leaders is simply a repetition of what already exists.
In an interview, Baamuhemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom said that "management of Kumasi City Market and some factions among the traders were summoned by Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom II to explain why they have decided to conduct elections at her market without her approval, so after the whole meeting it was concluded that the upcoming elections to elect new leaders must be shot down".
Baamuhemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom whiles recounting what transpired at the Asantehemaa’s palace on Wednesday, October 12 added that "Asantehemaa further reiterated that all markets within Asanteman belong to her including Kumasi City Market, so not even the market management or Board can conduct elections in the market without her approval".
Baamuhemaa, who is one of the over 70 commodity queens sworn into office by Asantehemaa to steer the affairs of the entire Market, further explained that "management of the market decide to conduct the elections is a disrespect to the directives of Asantehemaa because already there are various commodities queen mothers steering the affairs of the entire market, therefore no need for elections to elect executives to supersede the powers of the Asantehemaa"
An organization of merchants going by the name of City Market Traders Union has been pushing for the election of new leaders and executives at the Kumasi City Market in order to create a united front for the welfare of the traders. The election was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 26.
Another group of market traders, known as the Federation of Kumasi Traders, welcomed the polls with ferocious resistance, explaining that the market has leaders who regularly report to Manhyia.