By Alex Ababio
The last week fire outbreak which swept through Adum PZ and Blue Light in Kumasi, Ghana has affected traders as multiple shops and goods valued in millions of Ghana cedis were burnt. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister announced that in the past 24 hours, GHC600,000 had been raised to cater for the affected. This total includes a philanthropist’s donation of a whopping GHC 500,000 as well as an immediate relief package of GHC 100,000 to help the most vulnerable victims.
“The Hon. Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, CEO of MASLOC, Madam Abigail Akwambea Mensah and I visited affected leadership of the traders at Adum PZ and blue light in the wake of the devastating fire outbreak earlier on today,” Dr. Amoakohene posted on Facebook. He also extended the condolences of former President John Dramani Mahama and assured the victims of their commitment to supporting them as they recover and rebuild. The Gender Minister and MASLOC CEO also promised their respective support to the affected traders. Dr Amoakohene charged, “In difficult times like this, we must stand firm and we will do our part to help our people bounce back.”
Expert and Authority Insights
Abunaakese Mansa Fire Outbreaks In Kumasi Markets Have Become A Recurrent Concern Experts say that wrong wiring, cooking in the market premises and flammable material stored inside the market premises lead the most common cause. One such incident included a huge fire that occurred in March 2023 at the Kejetia Market. Its investigations also showed that a trader had cooked in the market, which is not allowed because of the risk involved in the act. GNFS Regional Fire Public Relations Officer, D.O.III Peter Addai, said ”We are done with investigations of the fire incident at the Kejetia market. It was a trader cooking, the cause of the market.”
THE GNFS HAS REGULARLY ADVISED AGAINST SUCH ACTIVITIES, WARNED OF THE DANGERS. Despite laws prohibiting cooking and heating in workplaces, several black traders continue to channel those annoying pastimes in their shops, leading to avoidable catastrophes. Another trader nearly set ablaze Kejetia Market in November 2023 when the trader was heating up water with a heater; The kettle was burnt but nothing else was damaged in the process.
In past 10 years many major markets in Kumasi including Kejetia and the Central Market were engulfed by fire, destroying properties, and costing a lot of money.
April 2021–Fire gutted more than 40 shops in the shoe and cobbler section of the Kumasi Central Market, reportedly running into several millions of Ghana cedis. The GNFS said haphazard electrical wiring might have caused the fire.
July 2020: About 50 shops were burned during a fire in the Kumasi Central Market.
March 2016: At least 150 shops were burned in a large fire at Kumasi Central Market at a loss of millions.
February 2014: Part of the Kejetia Market was gutted by fire that affected many traders and incurred huge financial losses.
They highlight a worrying trend of market infernos in Kumasi, and reinforce the call for strict regulatory compliance to save lives and livelihoods.
Financial Impact and Recovery Efforts
The financial cost of these fires is staggering. For instance, the Kejetia Market fire in March 2023 saw goods worth millions of Ghana cedis being destroyed. The market was temporarily shut to evaluate the damage and ensure safety measures were in place.
As mourned the devastation, the community often comes to the aid of affected traders. Dr. Amoakohene`s recent fundraising efforts are a great example of this community spirit, giving immediate assistance and proving their solidarity. But experts say that in addition to financial aid, prevention will be key. To minimize future outbreaks, installing proper electrical appliances, prohibiting market cooking, and sensitizing market traders about fire safety will prove helpful.
The series of fire disasters that have plagued the markets in Kumasi in Ghana call for a critical need to develop an effective proposal to salvage international disasters. Although financial assistance and community support are critical in the recovery process, it is compulsory to keep prevention measures in check and compliance with health regulations to protect the income of traders and the economic dynamism of the region.