The Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Desmond Essuon Ackah, has attributed the frequent fires at the Kantamanto Market to the lack of proper safety measures.
According to Mr. Ackah, many traders operate under hazardous conditions, particularly within their stores, increasing the risk of fires. Addressing the latest fire outbreak on January 2, 2025, he highlighted several critical oversights that contributed to the incident.
He pointed out the unregulated construction of stores, the inadequate number of exit points and safety zones, and the absence of essential firefighting infrastructure such as fire hydrants and other logistics.
“We never delight in seeing hardworking traders in this market lose their means of survival to fire. But there are so many things that can cause these fires over and over again. The leaders of this market must take note of this,” he stated.
Mr. Ackah further advised market leaders and traders to prioritize safe electrical installations and proper segregation of goods to reduce fire hazards. He stressed that without these precautions, the cycle of devastating fires would continue.
By: Kobina Baidoo
