By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly has demolished hundreds of unauthorised structures at Madina Redco Junction as part of a decongestion and sanitation exercise, following multiple fire outbreaks in the area.
The operation, conducted on Friday, September 12, 2025, was led by Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Ibrahim Faila Fuseini with the support of police officers, military personnel, and the Assembly’s task force. Wooden kiosks, metal containers, makeshift shops, and extensions blocking pedestrian walkways and spilling onto the main road were cleared to restore order.
The Assembly has since declared the Redco enclave a security zone, warning that no new structures will be allowed on the site. Three individuals have already been arrested for resisting the directive, and officials say more arrests will follow if rebuilding continues.
“This slum has become a haven for criminals, drug peddlers, and prostitution. We will not allow Redco Junction to degenerate further. Enough is enough,” MCE Fuseini said.
He further suggested that some of the recent fires may have been deliberately set by individuals seeking control of the land, describing the outbreaks as “suspicious and coordinated.”
The demolition, which affected more than 300 structures, displaced hundreds of traders, residents, and street porters. Many victims expressed frustration, claiming they were given less than 48 hours to vacate. Some traders said they lost goods worth millions of cedis and accused the Assembly of unfairness.
Despite the complaints, other residents welcomed the action, describing Redco Junction as a hub for crime, drug peddling, and prostitution. “The place was not good; it was making the youth go astray. I’m happy the Assembly has taken this step,” one resident said.
MCE Fuseini announced that the government is considering redeveloping the area into a modern market complex under the 24-hour economy initiative. The project, he said, will provide regulated trading spaces, fire lanes, sanitation facilities, and secure walkways to prevent future disasters and sustain livelihoods.
According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), more than 1,000 fire outbreaks were recorded in Greater Accra in 2024, with markets and slums accounting for nearly 40% of the cases. Redco Junction alone has experienced three major fires in less than 90 days, making it one of the most fire-prone areas in the capital.
Even after the demolition, some traders were seen trying to rebuild makeshift stalls, insisting they had no other place to work. The Assembly, however, has vowed to maintain strict enforcement at the site, warning of arrests and prosecutions for defiance.
For now, Madina Redco Junction remains a security zone, a symbol of the government’s effort to balance public safety with the survival needs of ordinary citizens.
