Traders at the Tema Community One Market have renewed calls for the redevelopment of the market, following recent flooding that they say exposed the poor state of its ageing infrastructure and drainage system.
They argued that years of unplanned development, coupled with deteriorating structures, have left the market highly susceptible to flooding whenever heavy rains occur.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on Friday, July 10, 2026, during a post-flood clean-up exercise, several traders said trading activities gradually expanded over the years, with makeshift structures springing up over sections of what was originally a drainage channel.
The clean-up exercise was in response to the June 29 floods, which claimed at least 13 lives in the Greater Accra Region and displaced thousands. At the Tema Community 1 market, a female trader lost her life after a slab over a major drain inside the market caved in, and she was subsequently swept away by the gushing water.
One of the traders, Noah Worou, said the market was initially a small trading area, with the land serving mainly as a walkway connecting pedestrians to the main transport station.
"The recent floods have made us realise the extent of the drainage problem beneath the market. The authorities need to reconstruct the drains and redevelop the entire market into a modern facility that can withstand future floods," he said.
Mr Worou noted that flooding has become a recurring problem, with stormwater and wastewater frequently inundating the market, disrupting business and creating unhealthy conditions for traders and customers. He added that most of the market structures, some of which are over two decades old, have deteriorated and require replacement.
"The market has served the community for many years, but it now needs a complete facelift with improved drainage and stronger infrastructure," he stressed.
Another trader, Habiba Karim, said the condition of the market was alarming, explaining that many of the structures had become weak and unsafe. She called for the complete reconstruction of the facility to guarantee the safety of traders and visitors.
Similarly, Alhaji Imoro, also a trader, appealed to the government to prioritise investment in the market's infrastructure to prevent future disasters. He said rebuilding the market would not only improve trading conditions but also enhance sanitation and reduce the impact of flooding.
Clean-Up
Meanwhile, individuals, students from first and second cycle schools, government and private institutions, and personnel from the various security agencies joined residents in the National Flood Aftermath Clean-Up Exercise across the metropolis.
Participants cleared overgrown weeds, swept roads and public spaces, and desilted choked drains to improve drainage and help reduce the risk of flooding during future rains.
