Due to inadequate fire safety precautions and a lack of consultation, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has voiced worries over traders’ continuing rebuilding of the Kantamanto Market.
On January 2, 2025, the market, a significant gathering place for used apparel in Accra, was completely destroyed by fire. Millions of Ghanaian cedis’ worth of goods and hundreds of stores were damaged in the fire, leaving businessmen eager to rebuild and go back to business as soon as possible.
To allow for adequate planning, the integration of safety systems and fire-resistant materials, and other considerations, the GNFS has recommended that the reconstruction process be put on hold.
Speaking on Eyewitness News’ Point Blank episode, GNFS communication team member Alex King Nartey emphasized the importance of collaborations between traders and the fire service.
He stated:
We advise the reconstruction is halted for a proper plan for the building to be put together, and proper fire-resistant materials. A proper building that will incorporate a fire detection system and be able to incorporate fire fighting tools at vantage points so that any time there is fire these tools, like the sprinklers, will come off and put out the fire,”
Nartey also criticised the use of wood in the rebuilding process, highlighting its vulnerability to fires. He stressed the importance of a collaborative approach to ensure the market is rebuilt with adequate safety standards.
“Ideally, per the operations of the service, we would have preferred a consultation with the Ghana National Fire Service and then we make recommendations on how the rebuilding can be done with the right fire-resistant materials.
“Mind you, they are still rebuilding with wood. You can’t keep on doing the same thing and expecting different results. In this case, we as a service wish that the market people would have come together with us so that we become very instrumental in the reconstruction,” he stated.
