The famous Kantamanto market in Accra has been devastated by fire once again. According to traders, this year’s fire outbreak is unprecedented.
The fire began around 1:00 a.m. and by the time firefighters arrived, the entire market was engulfed in flames, as if a bomb had been planted in the market. Traders are appealing to the government to investigate the incident.
The inferno, which raged for hours, destroyed countless stalls, goods, and valuables, leaving many market women and traders with nothing. The market, a hub of economic activity and livelihood for thousands, was reduced to ashes, with estimated losses running into millions of Ghanaian cedis.
The traders, many of whom are breadwinners for their families, are now facing an uncertain future. Victims pleaded with the government to take immediate action to provide relief and support.
Many have lost their entire livelihoods and are in dire need of assistance. Speaking to some of the victims, they appealed to the government to provide emergency financial assistance to help them recover from their losses.
One market woman asked the government to establish a committee to investigate the cause of the fire and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Mr. George, a trader, pleaded with the government to allocate funds for the reconstruction and modernization of the market, incorporating fire safety measures and facilities.
He added that due to the incident, some victims require psychological support and counseling services, as many are traumatized by the incident.
“The market women and traders are not just victims of a fire; they are the backbone of our economy and the livelihoods of many families. It is our collective responsibility to support them in this time of need. We urge the government to act swiftly and decisively to address the plight of the affected traders,” Mr. George emphasized.
