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A tragic fire that broke out at Kantamanto Market in Accra’s Central Business District on Thursday, January 2, has left one person dead, 14 others seriously injured, and over 7,000 shops destroyed.
The fire, which began at dawn, has wreaked havoc across the market, impacting more than 30,000 traders and causing widespread devastation.
Despite extensive efforts to combat the blaze, firefighting teams faced significant challenges due to water shortages and logistical issues, which allowed the fire to spread unchecked across large sections of the market.
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In an interview with JoyNews on Friday, January 3, Samuel Amoah, Chairman of the Kantamanto Traders Association, expressed the deep heartbreak caused by the tragedy.
He revealed that many traders had not only lost their businesses but also their homes, and they were now focused on rebuilding their livelihoods.
“Over 30,000 traders have been affected, and over 7,000 shops have been destroyed. This is a huge loss, and we are left with nothing but the hope that we will be able to return to the market and start again,” Mr. Amoah said.
He added that, while traders were already working to clear debris and begin rebuilding their stalls, they urgently needed support from both the outgoing and incoming governments.
The association also appealed for assistance in removing individuals who had taken shelter in the market following the fire, as many were reportedly sleeping there in the aftermath of the disaster.
