A fierce fire has devastated one of the bustling markets in the national capital, reducing hundreds of shops and merchandise to ashes.
The blaze at Kantamanto Market, believed to have ignited around 1 am on Thursday, January 2025, has obliterated years of investments and loans obtained from banks and financial institutions.
Thirteen fire tenders were dispatched to the bustling market by officers of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), yet eyewitnesses and affected traders lament that their goods have been completely destroyed.
Distressed traders, witnessing their belongings and investments perish, are now imploring the government to address the rampant outbreaks at the market permanently.
Expressing her anguish, Ama Mensah tearfully stated, “I have lost everything – all my goods, savings, everything is gone. I don’t know how I will recover from this.” Joshua Tetteh, another trader, voiced his despair, “I have suffered immense losses.
Efforts to salvage some goods were in vain. I didn’t earn a penny from this place; I took out a loan to establish this business. We will rise from these ruins. It’s a challenging situation.
My wife also trades in women’s clothing; she has lost everything.” “Kantamanto holds a special place in our hearts; it is more than just a market, it is our home. We will not allow this fire to crush our spirit,” he added.
Another trader, expressing suspicion, remarked, “I have lost a substantial amount of goods. Why are people so malicious? I trade in jeans for adults and children. I have lost everything from my two shops.
The financial loss is significant. One bundle of goods costs GHC5,500; this is truly devastating.” The last major devastation at Kantamanto Market occurred eight years ago, during the fervor of the New Patriotic Party’s bid for power.
These unaddressed fire outbreaks are not isolated to this market alone; other markets across the country, as well as installations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), have also been affected.
Incidents such as the 2015 destruction of Ghana’s Medical Store in Tema by alleged assailants have left many unanswered questions, with no culprits apprehended or investigative reports released to date.
While investigations into the recent disturbing incident are underway, accusatory fingers are already being pointed at the NPP, now transitioning back to opposition.
