Sekondi Market collapse leaves one dead, traders call for redevelopment

One person has died and several others have been injured after portions of the deteriorating Sekondi Market collapsed on Monday, October 6, 2025.

The tragic incident has sparked renewed calls from traders and local leaders for the government to urgently rebuild the decades-old market structure.

Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Blay Nyamekye Armah, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to fulfill their promise to redevelop the market into a modern facility.

“H.E. President Mahama and Hon. Ato Forson, please have mercy on our market women, our mothers, who have suffered for 32 years. Sekondi is crying out. H.E. President Mahama, please come and rebuild our market for us,” the MP pleaded.

Mr. Armah further called on Vice Presidential candidate Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to intervene, saying, “We know you are a mother; we know that through you, you can talk to the President to fulfil his campaign promise. I’m pleading in the name of God. This market is not good for human habitation.”

Traders who spoke to Channel One TV News expressed deep frustration over the government’s delay in addressing their concerns. Many said they continue to trade in fear, as other portions of the structure appear weak and could collapse at any moment.

“We’re pleading with the government to come to our aid. We’re owing, and we need to trade to pay off our debts. The government should immediately redevelop the market for us,” one trader said.

The Sekondi Market has long been described as unsafe due to its aging infrastructure and poor maintenance. With the latest fatal collapse, residents and traders are demanding swift action to prevent further tragedies and ensure a safer environment for economic activity in the area.

Meanwhile, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has summoned several shop owners who defied closure orders during the National Sanitation Day exercise held on Saturday, October 4.

The offenders are expected to appear before court on Monday to answer for their actions.

Public Relations Officer of the AMA, Gilbert Ankrah, said sanitation and public health officers were quickly dispatched after reports of non-compliance were received from some business areas. “What we noticed was that there were a couple of shop owners who had opened their shops, and quickly we had sanitation and public health officers moving in to deal with them,” he explained. “They were given summons and will be arraigned before court on Monday.”

The nationwide clean-up exercise, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, is part of government’s renewed effort to promote environmental cleanliness and civic responsibility. The Minister, Ahmed Ibrahim, joined the exercise in Accra alongside the Mayor, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, and the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.

Mr. Ankrah described the turnout in the capital as impressive. “The participation was quite encouraging. If you look at how people came out to support the exercise, it was very successful,” he said. He added that mop-up operations were continuing in areas such as Agbogbloshie, where debris collection and waste clearance were still underway.

He also revealed that the Mayor of Accra has declared October as Sanitation Month, during which intensified clean-up and waste management activities will take place across the city.

Meanwhile, Minister Ahmed Ibrahim admitted that sanitation efforts continue to face logistical challenges, including the lack of compact waste trucks and dustbins. “Some assemblies are using tipper trucks to cart refuse. It’s unprofessional,” he noted. “As sector minister, I will take it up and ensure the cities get at least a few compactors.”

He also pointed to poor street lighting as a hindrance to early morning and night-time cleaning and said his ministry is engaging the Ministries of Energy and Roads to address the problem across all 16 regional capitals.