By Samuel Adjetey Adjei
Traders at Agbogbloshie Market are raising concerns over deteriorating sanitation conditions, citing a polluted lagoon, choked gutters and excessive dust as major threats to their health and livelihoods.
They say the worsening situation is turning one of Accra’s busiest trading hubs into an uncomfortable and hazardous environment for both traders and customers.
According to the traders, waste continues to accumulate in the nearby lagoon and drainage systems, leaving gutters blocked and unable to function properly. During rainfall, the drains often overflow, spreading dirty water into trading areas and walkways.
In an interview, mobile money vendor Musa Sulemana described the daily challenges traders face.
“I run my mobile money business here at Agbogbloshie Market every day, but the place is not good for us. The dust alone is too much, and the smell coming from the gutters is very bad,” he said.
“On top of that, the smoke from burning wires fills the air, and sometimes it is hard for me to breathe. Customers do not want to come close because of the smell and heat, so I lose business. By the time I close, my throat is dry and my eyes are burning. We are just trying to make a living, but this environment is really affecting us.”
Traders say the dust is particularly severe during the dry season, settling on their goods and making it difficult to maintain hygiene. They say this reduces the appeal of their products and affects sales.
Some also fear that if the sanitation challenges are not addressed urgently, they could lead to more serious health problems and a further decline in business activity.
Second-hand clothing trader Bernice Oduro described the blocked gutters as one of the market’s biggest problems.
“The gutter is very dirty and always blocked,” she said. “The smell is unbearable, especially when the sun is hot. It makes it uncomfortable for us to sit here and sell.”
She added that the stench is driving customers away.
“People do not want to come close because of the smell. Even when they come, they do not stay long, and that is affecting our business. We need the authorities to come and fix it.”
The traders are calling on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and other relevant authorities to clear the gutters, desilt drainage systems, improve waste management and enforce regular sanitation measures.
They believe swift and sustained action will not only protect their health but also restore confidence in the market, attract more customers and improve economic activity in the area.
