A devastating fire swept through parts of the Kwadaso market in the Ashanti region, destroying over 40 shops and their contents.
The blaze started in the early hours of Thursday, August 1, 2024.
Traders at the M line of the market expressed their sorrow over the loss of millions of cedis worth of goods, including fabrics, footwear, frozen foods, plantain, yam, and more.
They are now struggling with the aftermath, as many have lost their only source of livelihood.
“All our plantain have been burnt, we are at a great loss, GHC4,000 to GHC5,000 plantain all destroyed. We bought the plantain on credit and we have to pay, we don’t know how to go about it. Those who gave us the plantain on credit will definitely come after us, they wouldn’t care. We really need help, myself and my colleagues. I’m 62 years old, this is the only business I can do, I don’t have the energy to do any other business,” a trader told Accra-based Citi News.
“I sell fabrics, shoes, hair scarves, and other items. I took a loan to buy new stock, and now everything is gone. I’m 71 years old with children in school, and there’s no help available. The loss could be over a million cedis. I’m pleading with the government to help me restart my business,” another trader, Adwoa Connie, lamented.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ashanti Regional Fire Service reported that, the fire was brought under control after two fire appliances, including a fire tender and a water tanker, were deployed.
However, access to the market was hindered by obstructions and blockages at the entrance, delaying the response.
He noted that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported.