President John Dramani Mahama has renewed calls for a nationwide overhaul of market infrastructure, following a devastating fire outbreak at the Adum market in Kumasi.
During a visit to the scene of the fire outbreak, President Mahama emphasized the need for better-designed markets that allow for easy access by emergency services.
“We must learn from this incident and reassess the design and layout of our markets… The current state of our markets is a ticking time bomb, and we must take proactive steps to prevent such incidents in the future,” he said.
President Mahama also emphasized the dangers of using gas cylinders and open flames in markets, and called for a ban on these practices.
“We must not use gas cylinders inside our markets, and cooking should not take place in these areas… Gas cookers and open flames are some of the major causes of fire outbreaks in our markets, and we must put a stop to this practice to prevent future disasters,” he stressed.
President Mahama commiserated with the victims of the fire outbreak, describing the incident as “truly heartbreaking.”
He said the extent of the damage and the number of shops destroyed is “very worrying.”
“It is truly heartbreaking—the extent of the damage and the number of shops destroyed make this incident very worrying,” he said.
He commended the Fire Service for their swift intervention in bringing the fire under control, but noted that gaining access to the market was a major challenge due to the nature of the entrance.
Mahama also announced that the government will provide support to affected traders, adding that the Regional Minister Dr. Frank Anoakohene will engage with them and NADMO will step in to provide immediate assistance.
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