An abandoned two-storey building inside Madina Market in Accra has recorded concrete strength readings as low as 11 N/mm², prompting the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly’s engineer to warn that any further delay in pulling it down could end in a major disaster.
The structure, located at the old Madina Zonal Council within the market, was tested by the Assembly with support from external engineers. Some sections recorded readings of about 20 N/mm², while others fell as low as 11 N/mm².
Municipal Engineer Mohammed Danjumah Ahmed said the Assembly has a duty to protect lives and property, and cautioned that it could be held responsible for negligence if the building collapses on traders.
The findings were reported on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, 2026, a week after TV3 News highlighted traders still selling beneath the crumbling building.
Madina Market building records low structural strength
The structural integrity tests covered the abandoned building and other structures in the area. The results showed uneven and weak readings across different parts of the building.
Reporters who visited the site observed exposed metal rods, damaged walls and sections in a precarious state.
- Lowest reading recorded: 11 N/mm²
- Readings in some other sections: about 20 N/mm²
- Building type: uncompleted two-storey structure
- Location: old Madina Zonal Council, Madina Market
- Construction started: early 2000s (never completed)
- Original capacity: trading space for about 200 people
Municipal engineer warns of Madina Market collapse risk
Engineer Ahmed questioned why the Assembly should wait while the danger grows.
“What is the use of all the engineers at the Assembly if we sit and watch this building collapse on traders?” he said.
He warned that further delay could lead to a major disaster and expose the Assembly to negligence claims.
Traders still selling under the abandoned building
Despite the warnings, some traders continue to sell beneath and around the structure. Others have turned unfinished parts of the building into storage space for their goods.
Some traders admit they are aware of the risk but say relocating would disrupt their businesses and cost them customers and income.
In the earlier TV3 News report, traders asked the Assembly to provide alternative trading spaces before moving them and requested until the end of the year to make arrangements. They also said authorities had warned them not to sell under the building.
Assembly provides alternative trading space ahead of demolition
The Assembly says it has provided a temporary trading area near the current market for affected traders while the old structure is demolished.
It says it has engaged the traders on the building’s condition since 2021 and believes they have had enough time to understand why it must be removed.
No specific start date for the demolition has been announced.
Planned 24-hour Madina Market redevelopment
The demolition is part of a plan to replace the old structure with an ultra-modern 24-hour market.
- Clinic
- School
- Police station
- Children’s playground
Cost figures and a construction timeline for the new market have not been made public.
Madina building safety concerns after June collapse
The warning comes months after another building collapse in Madina in June 2026, which left one person dead and five others injured.
A Joint Technical Investigative Committee later blamed that collapse on serious regulatory breaches, including missing permits, ignored stop-work orders, an unauthorised extra floor and poor-quality concrete, according to its preliminary findings reported by GNA.
Market safety has also been in the spotlight elsewhere this month, after a fire at Kumasi Central Market burned 15 shops.
What it means for Madina Market traders and shoppers
For traders, the main concern is livelihood. Those trading under or inside the building face a direct safety risk, but moving means finding new customers and adjusting to a new location.
Shoppers who pass near or under the structure are also exposed if any section gives way.
The Assembly’s position is that the temporary trading area is the safer option while the site is cleared.
What happens next
The Assembly is expected to proceed with demolition of the abandoned structure, but has not given a date.
Traders who have not moved are being urged to relocate to the alternative trading space. Further details on the timeline and funding of the planned 24-hour market are yet to be announced.
Key details at a glance
- Abandoned two-storey building in Madina Market recorded strength as low as 11 N/mm².
- Some sections recorded about 20 N/mm².
- Tests were done by La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly with external engineers.
- Municipal Engineer Mohammed Danjumah Ahmed warned delay could cause a major disaster.
- Building was started in the early 2000s for about 200 traders but never completed.
- A temporary trading space has been provided near the market.
- The site is earmarked for an ultra-modern 24-hour market.
FAQs
Is the Madina Market building going to be demolished?
Yes. The La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly says the abandoned two-storey structure will be demolished to make way for a new 24-hour market, but no date has been announced.
What did the Madina Market building structural test show?
The tests recorded readings of about 20 N/mm² in some sections and as low as 11 N/mm² in others, which the Assembly’s engineer described as a serious safety risk.
Where will Madina Market traders go?
The Assembly says it has provided a temporary trading area near the current market for traders affected by the demolition.
The test results put fresh pressure on the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly to clear an abandoned Madina Market building that has stood unfinished for more than two decades. With readings as low as 11 N/mm², traders still working under it and a temporary site already provided, attention now turns to when the demolition will start and how quickly the promised 24-hour market will follow.
