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Victims begin rebuilding Kantamanto Market after fire destroyed thousands of shops
Victims begin rebuilding Kantamanto Market after fire destroyed thousands of shops
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 1 min read
Kantamanto market traders are rebuilding their burnt shops with wooden structures without waiting for government help.
Traders had begun clearing the debris and called on the government to assist in the rebuilding process.
The fire, which broke out at dawn on Thursday, January 2, destroyed over 7,000 shops, leaving 14 people seriously injured and affecting more than 30,000 traders. Efforts to control the blaze were delayed due to water shortages and logistical challenges, resulting in extensive damage.
Chairman of the Kantamanto Traders Association, Samuel Amoah, described the situation as devastating and pleaded for urgent intervention from the government.
"Many traders have lost both their homes and livelihoods, and their only hope is to be allowed to return and work peacefully," Mr. Amoah said in an interview with JoyNews.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has extended his condolences to victims of the devastating fire that ravaged Kantamanto Market in Accra’s Central Business District, which claimed one life and left many others displaced.
During his final State of the Nation Address on Friday, January 3, the President described the incident as “deeply shocking” and expressed solidarity with the affected traders. He assured them of the government's support in their recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, Nana Kwame Bediako, leader of The New Force has donated GHC 50,000 to support the affected traders.
