Accra Mayor Orders Closure of Kaneshie Footbridge After Accra Newtown Building Collapse
- Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey has ordered the immediate closure of the Kaneshie footbridge after an inspection revealed serious structural defects
- The AMA plans to begin rehabilitation works, initially funded through Internally Generated Funds, with additional support from the central government
- Traders and pedestrians have been directed to vacate the area, as the closure follows safety concerns highlighted by the recent school building collapse
Chief Executive Officer (Accra Mayor) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has ordered the immediate closure of the Kaneshie footbridge.
This follows an inspection by the Accra Mayor, which revealed alarming structural defects.
Source: UGC
Announced on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the closure forms part of steps to avert potential accidents and protect lives, as the AMA prepares to commence rehabilitation works on the Kaneshie footbridge.
Addressing the media, Kpakpo Allotey reiterated the assembly's commitment to swiftly rehabilitate the dilapidated footbridge.
He disclosed that the initial repair works will be financed through Internally Generated Funds (IGF), while additional support is expected from the central government.
“We will try our best to start something with our IGF and then government will come in. We will close one side of the bridge so that people can use the other side for the meantime,” he said.
In preparation for the rehabilitation works, the AMA has directed traders and users of the footbridge to vacate the area to allow engineers to begin their work.
He warned that anyone who disregards the directive or attempts to use the restricted sections of the footbridge would face legal consequences, urging the public to cooperate fully with the safety measures.
A video shared on social media by Joy News showed the Kaneshie footbridge cordoned off for traders and pedestrian use.
The decision to close the footbridge comes amid the recent school building collapse incident at Newtown, a suburb of Accra.
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Three confirmed dead in Newtown building collapse
Three people were confirmed dead after an old school building collapsed near the Experimental Junior High School in Accra New Town.
This was disclosed by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak.
According to him, 20 other people were rescued from the devastating school building collapse incident, which occurred on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
He added that the three deceased persons comprised one male and two females.
“So far, the information that has been cross-checked and double-checked, including visits to all the hospitals to ensure we do not provide any information that may be far from the facts, indicates that it is very difficult to tell how many people were inside the building. However, based on the cross-checks from the Ambulance Service and their team, who have been here throughout the night and have done a wonderful job, this is what we have.
“We have asked the Fire Service to do their count, the Police to do their count, NADMO to do their count, and the Ambulance Service to do their count. At least, we have put all the information together, and what we can say is that there was a total of 23 people. Unfortunately, we have lost three, one male and two females, but we are not able to provide their names for now,” he added.
Muntaka Mubarak further disclosed that the 20 rescued citizens are receiving treatment at various hospitals in Accra.
“We thank God that 20 people are alive and receiving treatment at various hospitals, including the Police Hospital, the 37 Military Hospital, the Maamobi Polyclinic, and a private facility.”
He also expressed profound gratitude to the National Ambulance Service, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) for the yeoman’s work they did in rescuing the 20 individuals and retrieving the bodies of the three deceased persons.
Source: Facebook
Part of Amasaman China Mall collapses
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Amasaman China Mall had been closed after a partial building collapse left two people injured and some goods destroyed.
Ga West officials cited structural integrity issues and implemented safety recommendations before reopening, following the initial findings after an assessment.
Source: YEN.com.gh
