Traders and shop owners around the Blue Light Arena at Adum in Kumasi have been asked to vacate the area to pave the way for the construction of a lorry pathway, following a devastating fire incident on Friday.
City authorities have given a two-day ultimatum, after which demolition will begin on Monday.
The fire, which started in a two-storey building, spread rapidly due to the dense congestion of the Blue Light Arena and the combustible nature of goods sold at the market. Shops and valuables worth millions were destroyed, leaving the once-vibrant trading hub in ruins.
A preliminary assessment by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) revealed that the intensity of the fire was exacerbated by the market’s inaccessible nature, making firefighting efforts difficult.
Assistant Chief Officer 2, Peter Tetteh, the Regional Fire Commander, has urged city authorities to create access routes in public markets and advised traders to adhere to fire safety protocols.
“The public should listen to us and adhere to the safety tips we provide. There are no roads or paths in these markets. City authorities must make these areas accessible so we can respond quickly to emergencies,” he stated.
To mitigate future fire outbreaks, authorities plan to restructure Kumasi’s markets to ensure accessibility for emergency services.
Agyeman Boadi, also known as King Zuba, representing the Ashanti Regional Minister, explained that not all traders would be affected by the evacuation but emphasized the need for relocation to prevent future disasters.
“Most of them are in unauthorized areas. While we do not have a designated relocation site yet, it is crucial to recognize that if we had a proper pathway, we would not have experienced this level of damage,” he noted.
Meanwhile, affected traders have been seen attempting to salvage what remains of their goods, while others move their items to safety, fearing the fire may spread further. Over 5,000 traders and shop owners have been impacted by the disaster.
“We have lost everything. I tried to break in to save my goods, but the smoke was too much. Authorities keep saying the same things, but we need real solutions,” a distressed trader lamented.
The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has assured victims of support.
Deputy Director General of NADMO, Ahmed Rahim, stated that the agency is collecting data on those affected and will provide assistance as directed by the President.
“Our teams are on the ground gathering data. Once the area is cleared, we will enroll affected victims and provide the necessary relief,” he assured.