A massive fire at Ghana's Kantamanto Market in Accra devastates livelihoods, displacing traders and destroying millions in goods. (Photo/CNN)
(EPICSTORIAN) – A catastrophic fire has gutted the bustling Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana’s largest hub for used clothes trading, leaving behind smouldering ruins and displacing thousands of traders.
The inferno, which erupted late Wednesday, consumed vast sections of the market, a cornerstone of the country’s informal economy, according France24‘s Report.
Goods Worth Millions of Ghana Cedis lost to Kantamanto Market
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) deployed 13 fire tenders to contain the blaze, but by Thursday morning, the market’s iconic rows of stalls were reduced to ashes. Goods worth millions of Ghanaian cedis were destroyed, with traders and officials lamenting the economic toll.
“This is devastating,” said Alex King Nartey, a GNFS spokesperson. “We’ve not recorded severe casualties, but the economic loss is enormous.”
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been triggered by faulty electrical connections, though authorities have not ruled out arson. Nartey noted that efforts to fully extinguish the fire might extend into Friday.
Human Toll: “Everything I Own Is Gone”
Hundreds of traders are grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. For many, like 45-year-old Fred Asiedu, the fire has upended their lives.
“Everything I own was here—my wares, my savings, my future. Now, it’s all gone,” Asiedu shared, his voice heavy with despair. “How do I start over? The government must step in. Without help, life will be unbearable.”
Similarly, 39-year-old Adjoa Amu, a mother of three, described the fire as a crushing blow. “I’ve been selling here for 12 years. This market feeds my children and pays their school fees. Now, I’m left with nothing but ashes,” she said, urging the government to provide support.
Empathic Citizens Called for Urgent Government Action
Richard Amo Yartey, an official from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), assured the public that investigations into the fire’s cause had commenced.
“The scale of destruction is heart-wrenching, but we are committed to identifying the root cause and providing immediate relief to affected traders,” he said.
David Kwadwo Amoateng, president of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), echoed these sentiments, calling on the government to act swiftly.
“The market is a vital part of our economy. Traders here need emergency funding to get back on their feet. Without immediate intervention, thousands of livelihoods are at risk,” he stated.
Fire Left Accra’s Central Business District Left in Ruins
Also Read: Fuel Crisis Cripples Ghana’s Oti Region as Commuters and Businesses Struggle
Home to over 30,000 traders, Kantamanto Market has long been a lifeline for Accra’s Central Business District, serving as a key economic artery for the city and the nation.
