Every morning, thousands of traders set up shop in Ghana’s busiest markets, but behind the hustle lies a deep crisis. Overcrowding makes it difficult for traders and buyers, fire outbreaks are frequent and devastating, and market spaces are poorly planned with no clear regulations. We investigated these market challenges and spoke with traders, experts, and officials.
Watch the full video below and read on for more insights.
Why Are Ghana’s Markets Overcrowded?
For decades, Ghana’s markets have served as the economic heartbeat of communities, providing essential goods and livelihoods. However, these spaces, originally designed to accommodate far fewer traders, are now bursting at the seams.
Over time, urbanization and economic hardships have pushed more traders into these already congested spaces. While the number of sellers continues to grow, the physical market spaces have remained the same, creating severe overcrowding.
Many traders, unable to secure designated stalls, are forced to sell in walkways or even spill into nearby streets. This not only makes movement within the market difficult but also leads to conflicts among traders and between traders and city authorities.
In a Zoom interview, Bernard Fordjour, Assistant Physical Planning Officer, Ablekuma North Municipal Assembly, explained that Accra’s markets are overcrowded due to rapid urban growth and the lack of expansion to accommodate demand.
“This is because of the growing population and urbanization. Everybody wants to come to Accra and do business because of the ready market over here. But have we improved on the existing infrastructure or added some to it? No! It’s still the same,” he explained.
A local trader also shared her concerns about how overcrowding affects daily activities in the market.
“It’s very easy to contract illnesses here. When cars pass by, especially with so many people around, they can’t move freely. Due to the overcrowding, it’s even difficult for some to stop and buy something,” she lamented.
The Hidden Fire Hazard
Ghana’s markets are not just overcrowded — they are also fire hazards waiting to happen. In many of these markets, traders use open flames near highly flammable materials, increasing the risk of devastating fires. Compounding the danger, fire hydrants are often missing, and emergency escape routes are poorly designed, taken over or nonexistent.
One of the biggest challenges firefighters face is blocked access roads and walkways, making it nearly impossible for fire trucks to respond quickly in case of an emergency. Many traders have set up stalls in areas originally meant for emergency exits and fire truck access, severely limiting response times.
A fire service official, Genevieve Nana Derby, In Charge of Safety – Accra Fire Metro, expressed frustration over the challenges they face in navigating the market during emergencies. She highlighted how accessibility has been compromised as traders have occupied pavements originally meant for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles.
“Where an appliance should be able to drive through to the market, go there right now, all the pavement is occupied by the traders because the assembly allows them to stay because of the ticket they’ll be getting. So you go to give your education, give them your hazards, your challenges as far as your job is concerned, yet he’s also thinking of his revenue, and based on that, there is always a conflict of interest—where my revenue should be collected, where you also should have your limit. So the market, as it was built, has some form of accessibility, but it’s been covered by all these traders. Anytime there’s a technical meeting, we go, we complain about these things, but yet, it is there,” she said.
To corroborate the concerns raised by the Fire Service, some traders acknowledged that firefighters struggle to access the market during fire outbreaks.
“The Fire Service can only reach this place by using the railway tracks. Because of how the shops are arranged, it’s impossible for them to enter from inside the market,” one trader shared.
“If they build a road here, many shop owners will have to leave. We need help, and now they’ve decided to build a wall and improve security in the market. We’re looking forward to that,” another trader added.
Kejetia Market — A Model for Change?
Despite these ongoing challenges, one market stands out as an example of how things could be done differently — Kejetia Market in Kumasi. This modernised market offers a structured layout, designated fire escape routes, and improved security, making it a safer alternative to many of Ghana’s older, overcrowded markets.
However, not all traders are eager to relocate. Many fear they will lose customers if they move to a new space, and some prefer the familiarity of their current locations. This resistance has slowed down efforts to decongest unsafe market areas.
Bernard Fordjour, Assistant Physical Planning Officer at the Ablekuma North Municipal Assembly, expressed concern over the resistance from traders whenever relocation efforts are made.
“You can have an example that’s the Kejetia market redevelopment over there. And there are also some new zoning laws that will help us to, I think, decongest those markets. I think they are yet to be put into effect, but there are still plans ongoing… and also have plans of relocating traders to other parts of Accra. But as I said, you have to consult the traders first. Because if you don’t let them participate in all these redevelopment activities, it’s not going to work,” he stated.
Policy Failures & Political Challenges
If Ghana’s markets are overcrowded and unsafe, why hasn’t the government taken stronger action? The answer lies in a mix of political interference, lack of enforcement, and financial constraints.
Local authorities often attempt to relocate traders to safer locations, but political figures step in to prevent enforcement, fearing backlash from traders who depend on these spaces for their livelihood.
Limited Funding
Market redevelopment projects require significant investment, but funding for such initiatives is scarce.
Weak Regulation
Authorities issue trading permits but fail to enforce market rules, allowing the problem to persist.
Bernard Fordjour noted that constant political interference and limited resources make relocation efforts challenging.
“Trying to relocate them is difficult. A good example is the onion market—you remember we have relocated them now to, I think, Amasaman. You know they have been selling over there for quite some time, and they have their market there; they have their customers coming there. So, relocating them to a different place will be a challenge for them. And political interference also do come in over here,” he bemoaned.
Ghana’s markets remain overcrowded, unsafe, and poorly planned due to a combination of poor urban planning, political interference, and fire safety concerns. The situation puts thousands of traders and shoppers at risk every day.
Kejetia Market proves that a better system is possible, but resistance from traders and policy failures continue to delay much-needed changes. Without proper regulation, investment, and enforcement, market traders will continue to suffer the consequences.
What do you think? Should traders be relocated to safer markets, or should the government work on improving existing market conditions? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Source: VoicesofConcern.com
