The French government, through its development agency, L'Agence Française de Développement (AFD), has pledged to deepen its relationship with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to undertake more development projects in the Ashanti regional capital.

The French government said it is poised to support priority projects of the KMA that will ease congestion in the Central Business District and also improve sanitation.

The Ambassador of France to Ghana, Anne-Sophie Ave made the comment after she joined KMA Boss Osei Assibey Antwi and some administrators of the assembly to inspect some AFD-funded projects in Kumasi.

The relationship between Ghana, France, and the AFD dates back to 2004.

The AFD over the years has supported the KMA to execute projects such as markets, drainages, roads and additional cells at the Oti-Kuwait landfill site.

The latest markets that the AFD have assisted in constructing are the New Agogo, Old Tafo and Asawasi markets.

All these modern markets have been completed with improved facilities, sheds, and lockable shops.

The AFD is also supporting the second phase of the Asokwa-Lake road project with 37.5 million Euros.

Components of the Asokwa-Lake road projects include a two-kilometer extension of the road from Ahinsan Coca-Cola to Kyirpatre, construction of a new terminal at Dompoase to facilitate the relocation of the terminal adjacent to the Kumasi South Hospital to end the congestion on the road.

The project also includes a two-kilometre lining of the Aboabo drain to end flooding around that area.

Ann-Sophie Ave was elated that her government has helped in improving trading activities for a number of women who, hitherto were trading in unacceptable places.

“It is a delight to be in this market and see the smiles on the faces of these women as they carry out their trading activities. This is how it should be and through the AFD, we will continue to support projects that are a priority for the KMA for the benefit of the people of Kumasi”, she said.

Mr Antwi commended the French government and AFD for their continuous support to the Assembly.

He said the KMA and AFD have had a relationship dating back to 2004, and the relationship has given birth to a number of projects that are helping the people of Kumasi.

The mayor explained that with the women carrying out their trading in a more hygienic environment, consumers can be sure of healthy foodstuffs when they patronise the market.

Mr Antwi asked the Asokwa Municipal Assembly, which is taking over the New Agogo market, to manage it well to derive the needed revenue for other projects.

He said the KMA was the beneficiary of the market but due to the creation of the Asokwa Municipality, the KMA has to hand over to the Asokwa Municipality to continue managing it.

He entreated the Asokwa assembly to ensure proper management of the market.

The mayor also appealed to the French Ambassador and the AFD to help KMA to develop a multi-storey car park at Kumasi Adum to ease vehicular congestion in the Central Business District (CBD).