Africa-Press – Ghana. Victims of the fire incident that occurred at Kejetia Market have expressed worry over being neglected, almost seven months after the unfortunate incident.
The affected part of the market remains under lock with no sign of work, in spite of promises to reconstruct it within the shortest possible time.
Market fire
The March 15, 2023 fire at the largest market in Kumasi swept through 54 shops, with 33 of them burning beyond salvaging.
Affected traders lost thousands of Ghana cedis worth of investments in the inferno.The entire market had to be shutdown to pave way for investigation as well as the conduct of structural integrity tests on the facility.
During his visit to the fire victims, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia assured them of government support.
“We know you’ve suffered a huge loss and need support. Government will offer you the needed assistance to return to business,” he assured.
Other officials made several promises to reconstruct the affected area. These promises were greeted with loud applause from the traders. The burned area was cordoned off for reconstruction, but nearly seven months later, work has not yet begun.
Victims’ anger over failed promises
Nathaniel Boamponsem, a dealer in wallpapers, lost all his three shops during the fire incident. He has been out of business since the incident, so he now depends on family and friends for financial support.
“We, as victims, are going through a lot now. All the pledges and promises government made to us have not been fulfilled. The place has still been locked up, and there is no sign of working there. All that Management is telling us is that they are looking up to the Government. For now, relatives are supporting us financially because we don’t even have a place to sit and sell. All we ask from Government is to reconstruct our shops for us so we can start working”, he said in an angry tone.
Akosua Owusuaa also couldn’t retrieve any items from her shop during the March 15 fire, and has been forced to trade with her colleagues on a tabletop near one of the market’s stairs.
“I just have to manage on this table since I have no place to trade after our shops got burned. The promise to reconstruct the affected part is yet to be fulfilled. Most of my colleagues are at home because of unavailability of space to operate. Sometimes I have to even run away from my debtors. Things are really tough now, because I don’t earn much to cater for my family. Government should intervene,” she lamented.
Some traders are asking Government when the burned portion of the market will be reconstructed.
“We are asking, ever since the fire incident, has the Government ever bothered to know how the victims are surviving to date? Where is the Government support that Vice President Bawumia, promised the affected traders? When will the traders be restored to trading again?”, Nana Asare Bediako, an aggrieved trader asked during a press conference.
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