The Ashanti Parliamentary Caucus of the New Patriotic Party has expressed deep sorrow and concern over the recent fire outbreak that engulfed parts of the Old Central Market in Kumasi, resulting in significant losses for traders and business owners.
The caucus, in a statement, issued by its Secretary and MP for Old Tafo, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Esq, called on the government to take urgent measures to address the recurring fire disasters in the region, which continue to devastate businesses and livelihoods.
“This latest fire outbreak is part of a troubling pattern of increasing fire incidents in the Ashanti Region, which continue to wreak havoc on businesses and local economies. In just the first few months of 2025, several major fire disasters have been recorded in key commercial hubs across the region”.
Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Esq.
According to the statement, in February, a fire swept through Suame Magazine, destroying approximately 25 spare parts shops and 34 vehicles, leading to massive financial losses for business owners and artisans.
The Kwadaso Wood Market also suffered two separate fire outbreaks within a month, with another one in January reducing dozens of shops and warehouses to ashes, leaving traders in despair.
More recently, a March fire at the Konongo Mining Stores wiped out numerous businesses, exacerbating the economic struggles of local traders and residents.
On March 21, 2025, another major blaze erupted in Adum, one of the busiest commercial areas in Kumasi, destroying numerous shops, businesses, and valuable merchandise.
This incident has intensified concerns over the region’s vulnerability to fire outbreaks and the inadequate measures in place to combat such disasters.
Challenges Facing Firefighting Efforts
The Ashanti NPP Caucus highlighted the persistent challenges faced by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in effectively responding to fire outbreaks.
These include a lack of modern firefighting equipment, inadequate water supply infrastructure, and an insufficient number of personnel. Without urgent government intervention, the region remains at high risk of further fire disasters that could cripple local businesses and economic activities.
“We call on the Minister for the Interior to take immediate steps to investigate these recurring fires in the region and implement comprehensive measures to prevent further occurrences.”
Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Esq.
Additionally, they emphasized the need for the government to prioritize equipping the GNFS with modern tools and sufficient resources to respond swiftly and effectively to fire emergencies.
Economic and Social Implications
As one of Ghana’s key economic hubs, the Ashanti Region plays a crucial role in the country’s commerce and trade. The continuous occurrence of devastating fires threatens not only local businesses but also the livelihoods of thousands of traders, artisans, and their dependents.
Many affected business owners have lost their only sources of income, leading to financial distress and heightened economic insecurity.
The destruction caused by these fires extends beyond the direct financial losses. It affects supply chains, employment, and overall economic stability in the region.
Traders and business owners who have invested heavily in their enterprises now face the challenge of rebuilding from scratch, often without adequate support or insurance coverage.
The Ashanti NPP Parliamentary Caucus is demanding immediate and decisive government action to curb the increasing frequency of fire outbreaks in the region.
Their recommendations include: enhancing firefighting infrastructure, asserting that the government must allocate resources to modernize the GNFS by providing advanced firefighting equipment, improving water supply infrastructure, and increasing the number of trained personnel.
They also called for strengthening fire safety regulations, urging authorities to conduct regular inspections of market areas to ensure compliance with fire safety standards and regulations, reducing the risk of accidental fires.
The group further demanded a comprehensive investigation, arguing that a thorough investigation into the causes of these frequent fire outbreaks is necessary to identify potential arson or systemic safety failures.
Additionally, the Ashanti NPP Parliamentary Caucus called on the government to provide support for the affected traders such as the provision of relief packages, including financial assistance and low-interest loans, to help affected traders recover from their losses.
Finally, the group called for public awareness campaigns, insisting that education on fire prevention and safety measures should be intensified to equip business owners and the general public with the knowledge needed to minimize fire risks.
In their statement, the Caucus expressed their heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the Kumasi market fire and other recent fire disasters.
They reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for swift and effective interventions to prevent further destruction and ensure the protection of businesses and livelihoods in the region.
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