Market status

The market is operating. After the January 2025 fire destroyed around 700 shops and stalls, traders rebuilt largely at their own cost — savings and loans — and had restocked and reopened by February. The market remains the region's wholesale hub, drawing buyers and sellers from across Ghana and from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Côte d'Ivoire.

Under the government's 24-hour economy programme, the announced package covers modern market facilities, standard access roads, lorry terminals and washrooms. As of June 2026 we have found no published timetable. The only visible ground action so far was the May 2025 demolition — and traders told reporters it came without notice. Updates will be dated here as they land.

The January fire was the big one: roughly 700 shops, stalls and containers affected, with the Alata section worst hit. The congested layout slowed firefighting, and the town had a single fire tender — six had to come from Techiman, Nkoranza, Kintampo and Wenchi. The February fire destroyed the dried-fish section. Traders rebuilt themselves. Reporting later in 2025 said structural fire precautions had still not changed, so the conditions behind these fires remain.

The demolition came ahead of the announced redevelopment. Traders' grievance, as reported, was the process rather than redevelopment itself — most want the modern market but distrust how it is being executed. We have found no published relocation arrangements for the displaced traders. If you know of official arrangements, please use the correction link at the foot of this page.