KUMASI CENTRAL MARKET CATCHES FIRE AGAIN

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Debris of the wildfire
Madam Patricia Nkansah-victim of the wildfire
A swift response by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service to a distress call last night helped to avert what could have been another major disaster at the Kumasi Central Market from wildfire. 



Even with that quick response, two stores in addition to some stalls were not spared by the ravaging fire which occurred at about 8 pm yesterday. 

The incident took place at the section of the Market where assorted wares such as jewelry, cloths, footwear and wrist watches are sold. 

 The actual cause of last night’s outbreak is yet to be identified especially so as the place was said to be without electricity supply at the close of business yesterday. 

At the time of Ashanti Today's  visit to the scene this morning, some of the victims were still counting their losses and scavenging through the debris to see what could be salvaged. 

The total cost of the destruction is also yet to be ascertained but it is believed to be running into thousands of Ghana Cedis. 

One of the victims, Patricia Nkansah told Ashanti Today that friends of her former husband contributed some money to set her up at the Central Market about two years ago following a break up with the husband. 

According to her, she only restocked her wares with jewelry and wrist  watches yesterday towards the yuletide but stressed that she did not leave any fiscal cash when she was leaving the market at 6 pm yesterday. She could not tell how she could re-start the trading business. 

Another victim, who gave her name only as Hilda and a mother of four, also told Ashanti Today that she restocked her business with goods worth six thousand Ghana Cedis just yesterday but have all been lost to the fire after six years of trading at the place. 

Madam Hilda sells mainly men and children’s footwear. 

The victims have appealed to spirited individuals and organizations to assist them to re-start their businesses particularly as the Christmas festivities draw near. 

About three months ago, another section of the Kumasi Central Market was also destroyed by wildfire through which about 20 stores with goods valued at thousands of Ghana Cedis got destroyed. 

Meanwhile, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, KMA, owners and managers of the Market says government has already secured a loan facility from the Brazilian government to re-construct the Central Market. 

According to the Public Relations Officer of the KMA, Godwin Okumah Nyame, the contractors are in Kumasi carrying out preliminary works such as geological survey. 

The PRO said the KMA will very soon start data collection of all the current legal occupants of the market  as well as sensitize them to the need for the project and to also assure them that they will be given priority on completion of the project.
   

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