A partial collapse at the aging Sekondi Market on Monday has left one trader dead, prompting renewed appeals from local leaders and merchants for long-promised government intervention.
The incident, which occurred on October 6, has intensified scrutiny over the deteriorating condition of the market, a once-thriving commercial hub in Ghana’s Western Region. Witnesses say portions of the structure gave way during business hours, fatally injuring one trader and raising fears of further structural failures.
In the aftermath, Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Blay Nyamekye Armah, urged President John Dramani Mahama and Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to fast-track redevelopment plans. “We cannot afford to lose more lives. The market’s state is a ticking time bomb,” Mr. Armah said in a televised interview.
The Sekondi Market has long been earmarked for transformation into a modern trading facility, but progress has stalled amid funding delays and shifting policy priorities. Traders say they feel abandoned, operating in what they describe as increasingly hazardous conditions.
Speaking to Channel One TV News, several merchants voiced frustration at the government’s inaction. “We’ve been promised redevelopment for years,” said one trader. “Now someone has died. What more will it take?”
The Finance Ministry and Office of the President have not yet issued public statements regarding the incident or redevelopment plans.
As pressure mounts, market advocates warn that without swift intervention, the situation may worsen—both in terms of safety and economic fallout for the local trading community.
