A fire tore through Kumasi Central Market, destroying 15 shops before firefighters contained the blaze. The incident prompted an immediate response from government officials, including Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga, who visited the scene with Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene and Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi.
The visit came after President Nana Akufo-Addo directed authorities to assess the situation. Speaking to affected traders, Ayariga conveyed the President’s sympathies and assured them of possible state support. “We will put our heads together to see how we can lift you out of this unfortunate situation,” he said. “When we get the report from NADMO, we will explore every opportunity that exists to support the victims.”
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is tasked with assessing the damage and recommending the type and scale of assistance required. This evaluation will influence the government’s next steps in helping traders recover from their losses.
In coordination with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), the government has permitted affected shop owners to temporarily restore their trading spaces ahead of the Christmas season, provided the areas pass structural safety tests. KMA engineers are conducting urgent assessments to determine whether the damaged sections can safely accommodate trading activities while relief arrangements are made.
The fire’s timing threatens to disrupt business during one of the busiest periods of the year for traders. Kumasi Central Market is a hub for retail and wholesale activity in the Ashanti Region, and the loss of 15 shops represents a significant setback for those affected.
Ayariaga also announced that construction work on Phase Two of the Kejetia Market project, which has stalled, will resume shortly. The project aims to ease congestion in Kumasi’s markets, though no specific date for restarting construction was provided.
The government’s response comes as traders and local authorities weigh the impact of the fire and consider measures to restore business activity quickly. The assessment from NADMO and the engineering reports from the KMA will shape the relief effort in the days ahead.
The fire has thrust Kumasi’s market infrastructure back into focus, exposing vulnerabilities ahead of a critical trading season.
According to Joy Online.
