Traders at Kumasi Kejetia Market Declare Facility a “Death Trap,” Demand Urgent Government Intervention
Traders at the iconic Kumasi City Market (popularly known as Kejetia Market) have issued a strong warning, describing the facility as a “death trap” and urgently calling on the government and relevant authorities to intervene before a major disaster occurs.
At a news conference held at the market on Tuesday, March 31, the traders highlighted visible and widening cracks in the structure, which they believe indicate serious structural weaknesses. They attributed the deteriorating condition to prolonged neglect, poor maintenance, and ineffective management.
The market, originally designed to accommodate just over 8,000 lockable shops and stalls, is now severely overcrowded, with trading activities spilling far beyond its intended capacity. Traders say this overcrowding has worsened the situation and could severely hamper emergency response in the event of a fire or collapse.
Key concerns raised include:
- Lack of proper managerial direction and political interference
- Persistent electricity challenges due to the continued use of a bulk metering system
- Absence of adequate firefighting equipment
- No fire certificate since November 2021
- No market insurance (leaving victims of the March 2023 fire without support)
Nana Akwasi Prempeh, President of the Federation of Kumasi Traders, expressed deep frustration:
“In terms of readiness to fight fire, a facility as huge as this has not had a fire certificate since November 2021. The market does not have any market insurance, hence no remedy came in support of the victims in the March 2023 unfortunate fire incident in the Market. To date, no steps whatsoever have been taken to rectify these issues. No one cares.”
The traders warned that the situation poses a serious risk not only to lives but also to the livelihoods of more than 20,000 people who depend on the market daily. They described the potential collapse as a looming national security and humanitarian concern if immediate action is not taken.
They are calling on the government, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, and other stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive structural assessment, carry out urgent repairs or reconstruction where necessary, and address the long-standing management and safety issues.
The Kejetia Market remains one of the largest and most economically significant trading centres in Ghana, and any major incident there would have far-reaching consequences for the local and national economy.
Source: News conference by the Federation of Kumasi Traders at Kejetia Market (March 31, 2026)
