A devastating fire swept through Accra’s Kantamanto Market, one of Ghana's most significant hubs for the informal economy, early Thursday morning, reducing much of the market to ashes.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) deployed 13 fire tenders to contain the inferno, which destroyed goods worth millions of cedis and left over 10,000 traders facing uncertainty.
Preliminary investigations suggest that faulty electrical connections may have triggered the blaze, though arson has not been ruled out, according to GNFS spokesperson Alex King Nartey.
“The economic loss is enormous, though we’ve not recorded severe casualties,” Nartey was quoted as saying by media.
Richard Amo Yartey, an official with the National Disaster Management Organization, said investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, while efforts are being made to offer immediate relief to affected traders, according to reports. David Kwadwo Amoateng, president of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana, emphasized the market's importance to Ghana’s economy, urging swift government action to help traders recover.
Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo has offered his condolences and said the government would work with relevant agencies to establish the cause of the fire and provide the necessary support to those affected.