Kaneshie Footbridge Closed Following Fatal Building Collapse in Accra | Discuss Ghana

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, ordered the immediate closure of the Kaneshie footbridges and the evacuation of all traders and commuters from the structure.

The directive comes as the city grapples with heightened safety fears following the tragic collapse of an uncompleted four-storey building in Accra New Town on Sunday, March 29, 2026, which claimed three lives.

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Structural Defects and Immediate Evacuation

Mayor Allotey, accompanied by officials from the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly and the Department of Urban Roads, conducted an urgent inspection of the Kaneshie structures:

Visible Deterioration: The inspection revealed severe structural defects, including broken concrete and exposed, rusted metal reinforcements.

Evacuation Order: The Mayor directed that all persons occupying the bridges—particularly unauthorized traders—must vacate immediately to allow for renovation.

Legal Consequences: A stern warning was issued that anyone defying the safety protocols or attempting to use the bridge unlawfully would face legal action.

Alternative Routes: The Director of Urban Roads, Engr. James Oduro Amoo-Gottfried, announced that temporary pedestrian crossings will be created along the median of the Dr. Busia Highway to ensure safe movement while repairs are ongoing.

Context: The Accra New Town Tragedy

The urgency of the Kaneshie closure is a direct response to the "National Reset" of building standards following the recent disaster:

The Incident: On March 29, a building near the Experimental D/A School collapsed during a church service.

Casualties: Emergency teams (GNFS, NADMO, and Police) rescued 20 people, but three victims (two females and one male) were confirmed dead.

Wider Crackdown: The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has launched a coordinated inspection exercise across Adenta, Dansoman, and Agbogbloshie to identify and demolish other non-compliant structures.

Infrastructure Safety Status (April 2026)

Structure	Current Status	Primary Concern
Kaneshie Footbridge	Closed for Renovation.	Broken concrete & rust.
New Town Site	Cordoned Off / Investigation.	3 deaths; illegal use of site.
Accra-Tema Motorway	Tollbooth Removal Ongoing.	Decongestion & Safety.
Adenta Structures	Inspection Pending.	Structural integrity audits.

"We will not compromise on public safety. Recent structural failures in this city have shown us that we cannot take any chances. The Kaneshie footbridge must be fixed now to prevent a repeat of tragedy." — Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey.