“Broken Public Toilet Threatens Health at Madina Market: Queen Mother Leads Call for Urgent Repairs”

By Samuel Asamoah 

“We keep our market clean, but this toilet is a disgrace and a threat to our lives.” That was the emotional plea from the Queen Mother of the Madina Market, Esi Yeboah calling on government and local authorities to urgently fix the only public toilet serving one of Accra’s busiest commercial centres.

The Madina Market is known for its cleanliness and vibrancy, but a single, dilapidated toilet facility is undermining the traders’ collective efforts. The structure is in a deplorable state — cracked, partially broken down, and surrounded by exposed fecal matter. A nauseating stench hangs over the area, with sinks and floors persistently wet and dirty. Basic hygiene is nearly impossible. A young girl observed by the Ghana WASH Journalists Network (GWJN) team could not find soap or running water to wash her hands after using the facility.

“It’s an embarrassment. We do our best to maintain cleanliness in this market, but the toilet is undermining all our efforts,” the Queen Mother added.

The situation is worsening as many traders, unable to afford the rising fees charged by private toilet operators — ranging between GHS 2 and GHS 5 — are forced to use the broken facility, which charges less but is unsafe.

“The private ones are clean, but they are expensive. We are forced to go back to the broken toilet because it’s cheaper,” said a fresh vegetable seller.

Eunice Quao, Secretary to the Madina Market Women, described the situation as a worrying and appealed for urgent intervention.

“We’ve appealed to the Assembly several times. The new Municipal Chief Executives has informed us of coming to meet with us and l am sure that will come up for discussion.

This market is important to the community and the economy. We can’t continue like this,” she said.

A few meters away at the Madina Vehicle Terminal, commercial drivers echoed similar frustrations. Despite paying daily tolls to operate within the terminal, they say no toilets or handwashing facilities have been provided.

“We pay money every day, yet not even one toilet is provided for us. We use corners or pay high fees at private places,” a driver complained.

With no functional public alternatives, private toilet operators are cashing in. Their presence is filling a gap, but at a cost many cannot bear. As a result, the poorest are left with no choice but to risk their health by using unsafe facilities.

David Katey, manager of one of the private toilets noted that the cost of effectively maintaining the facility clean is the reason why their fee is high. “We buy a lot of detergent” he noted.

The Madina situation reflects a larger national challenge — the failure to ensure affordable and safe sanitation for all, especially in public spaces. It also raises serious concerns about Ghana’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.

The Ghana WASH Journalists Network, supported by the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), is calling on the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to act now. The broken toilet must be rehabilitated, affordable public toilet access provided, and handwashing stations equipped with soap and water. Toll revenues collected from traders and drivers must be reinvested in sanitation infrastructure.

The market women, drivers, and customers of Madina deserve better. Public health should not be a privilege — it is a right. The time to act is now.