The President of the Greater Accra Markets Association, Mercy Naa Afowa, has said that lack of security at the various markets is one of the main factors contributing to fire outbreaks at the market places.
Speaking in an interview, Madam Afowa indicated that the markets have little to no security officers. She disclosed that, as big as the Makola market is, it is manned by only two security officers at night which she emphasized that, it is woefully inadequate in ensuring the safety of the market and the goods in it from disasters and theft.
“Our businesses suffer,” she lamented.
Madam Afowa also noted that despite their contributions to the local assemblies, they still lack adequate security to protect their source of livelihood, mostly when they are away at night.
She sobbed as she explained how some of the market women who lose their investments through these fire outbreaks become indebted for life after the disaster. She said some are unable to get back on their feet again, and those who manage to, work their entire life in offsetting debt incurred as a result of the fire.
She, therefore, pleaded with the local assemblies to beef up security at the market places for them so as to avoid future fire outbreaks.
The Kaneshie market fire is the last of three consecutive fire outbreaks in market places in recent times. The first being the Odwuna market fire outbreak which was followed by the Makola market fire, then the Kaneshie market which took place last Sunday.
There have been several concerns in the public with some saying the three market fire outbreaks are just not coincidental. Some have speculated that it is a deliberate effort by some unscrupulous persons to inflict pain on these innocent women to pressure government.
While some speculate apolitically, a section of the public has attached party colors to their allegations. Some social media users have blamed the Makola and Kaneshie market fires on supporters of the NDC as the party’s nationwide protest is ongoing.
As these accusations go on, there have been several rebuttals by some members and supporters of the NDC preaching their innocence in the matter.
As of now, there has not been any official report from the Ghana National Service on the cause of any of these market fire outbreaks but public speculations continue.
However, the Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah has said the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), is set to undertake a rewiring of all markets in Accra as concerns have also been raised on the old nature of electrical wirings in these markets.
According to the Chief Executive of the Assembly, the actual implementation of the rewiring work is to commence in February, which all market leadership have been fully informed.
“A full presentation has been done to all market leadership in October about when the actual implementation will start,” the Mayor said.
Mr. Sowah stated that the Assembly is committed in protecting the lives and livelihoods of the traders thus, the Kaneshie market facility management and the AMA are working around the clock to provide temporary stations for the affected shop owners of the Kaneshie market fire to trade until their shops are restored.
He also revealed that the Assembly and facility’s management are also working speedily in helping the affected traders secure capitals in order to get their businesses on track.
