By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi
The Managing Director of Tanja Engineering Works Ltd., David Bruce-Appiah, has accused the Managing Director of Kumasi City Markets Ltd. (KCML), Edmund Kofi Duffour Addae, of deliberately obstructing the installation of personal electricity meters for traders at Kejetia Market for personal financial gain.
Mr. Bruce-Appiah alleged that the KCML MD and his accountant benefit from collecting electricity bills from traders, which is why they have refused to release funds for the continuation of meter installations.
To support his claim, he presented evidence to Business & Financial Times (B&FT), highlighting unusually high electricity charges imposed on traders at the market.
Mr. Bruce-Appiah was reacting to a B&FT publication that the Kejetia market owes ECG over GH₵1.6million.
“With the money being collected from traders, they shouldn’t owe such huge amount. One receipt I saw was GH₵473 for one month – just a bulb, socket and fan. A hairdresser was also billed GH₵1,300 a month,” he stated.
So far, about 400 of the more than 7,000 expected meters have been installed at Kejetia Market – none of which are connected to power. Work on the project stalled just three months after it began, forcing the contractor to pay his workers for nearly 10 months without any progress.
Mr. Bruce Appiah accused the MD and KCML accountant of corruption, claiming they have intentionally obstructed the project to maintain their control over electricity billing.
Providing further evidence, he stated that a separate bank account was created specifically for meter payments under the contract – with strict terms allowing access only for project-related expenses. However, he alleged the KCML accountant had withdrawn GH₵30,000 from the account.
“We secured the contract a year ago to install meters at Kejetia Market. It was agreed at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) that the designated account for meter payments should not be touched and that funds would be disbursed to my company to facilitate the installations.
“Unfortunately, the MD and accountant have created so many obstacles that we have not even been able to install 500 meters, despite having meters stocked in our office at Kejetia. Their interest is in the money they collect from traders for electricity
“For the past 10 months, we have not been working. We have written to them multiple times but they refuse to respond. What’s worse, they have started withdrawing money from the project’s designated account,” he said.
Explaining further, he said after the accountant withdrew the GH₵30,000 in cash, a bank manager alerted him. “I reported the matter to National Security and they demanded the account statement. The situation at Kejetia is pure corruption. The MD and accountant do not want the metering project to continue. It appears that Kejetia Market lacks a voice to speak on behalf of the traders. There’s a hidden agenda and there is much more to uncover,” he alleged.
Mr. Bruce-Appiah lamented that all efforts to secure funds for the project and restore power to installed meters have been unsuccessful.
“The only issue now is that we need GH₵500,000 to pay for production and our partners to enable us sell power to those who have already paid for the meters. Meanwhile, Duffour Addae and his accountant continue to collect electricity payments from traders every month,” he added
Edmund Duffour Addae’s response
When contacted for his side of the story, Mr. Duffour Addae directed the reporter to speak with the Metering Committee chairman, identified only as John.
He appeared indifferent and unwilling to provide his own account.
“The metering is not my personal responsibility; it is a corporate matter. The person in charge should be the one to address it. Speak to him – he will clarify everything for you because he is chairman of the implementation committee, not me.
“I don’t care what anyone says about me if it isn’t factual or truthful. The facts lie with the chairman. Why should I defend myself when the right person to do so is available?” he said.
When contacted by telephone, the chairman, John, refused to comment on the matter, saying: “The manager is around, so why should I be the one to speak on it? Also, I haven’t received any notification from the manager, so I cannot say anything”.
