The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover and the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey, have visited the Kantamanto Market to inspect the extent of damage caused by a fire outbreak in the early hours of January 2, 2024, and sympathise with traders whose shops and goods were destroyed.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Glover urged traders to collaborate with the police to enhance security in the market and proposed night patrols, screening individuals to prevent unauthorized access, and installing CCTV cameras and the fencing of the market to boost surveillance.
He appealed to the incoming government to consider providing financial relief to help affected traders restart their businesses. He expressed concerns over the recurrent fires, stressing that measures must be implemented to end the trend.
He also condemned any acts of arson, asserting, “God will punish anybody who has a hand in this.”
The Regional Fire Commander, ACFO 2 Rashid Nsaw, highlighted the need for fire-resistant materials in market construction to prevent rapid fire spread.
He revealed that the blaze had engulfed both the top and ground floors of a building but was contained before causing further damage.
“Wooden structures, especially those made of Wawa wood, burn quickly. Replacing these with metal structures, even for temporary buildings, will significantly improve fire safety,” ACFO 2 Nsaw stated.
