In recent times , market place fires seem to be on the ascendancy with recent ones being the Katamanto and Adum market fires where lots of goods were razed down leaving traders heartbroken .
In a bid to avert any such incidence in the Western Region , the Western Regional Minister , Hon Joseph Nelson has inaugurated an 11 member anti market fire committee. The committee’ s mandate is to identify potential fire threats and propose practical recommendations to help prevent future fire outbreaks.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister Joseph Nelson urged the committee to approach their task with diligence and dedication. He emphasized that market fires not only cause financial losses but also bring emotional distress and hardship to traders, many of whom are women working tirelessly to support their families.
“As Regional Minister, I’ve taken lessons from the recent devastating fires in Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. To prevent such incidents in our region, I’ve assembled a team to raise awareness and focus on fire safety in our markets, big or small,” he said.
“We’re committed to protecting our markets, where many of our mothers and sisters work hard to earn a living. Fire outbreaks come with huge costs, not just financial, but also emotional, causing discomfort and affecting livelihoods. We’re determined to prevent such incidents in our region and ensure the safety and well-being of our people,” he added.
The committee, chaired by Assistant Chief Fire Officer Grade Two (ACFOII) David Asa Darko, has been given ten days to assess fire risks in local markets, identify potential hazards, and propose practical solutions. The team includes key stakeholders such as Brigadier General (Rtd.) Musah Whajah, Regional Security Liaison Officer; Veronica Arthur, Takoradi Market Queen; John Laste, Public Relations Officer for the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA); Desmond Cudjoe, Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Western Region Chapter; Abdul Ganiyu, Regional NADMO Director; and Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, media personality .A Regional Engineer from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and a representative from the Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly are also part of the committee.
Committee Chairman ACFOII David Asa Darko acknowledged the significant challenges firefighters face when dealing with market fires and stressed the need to tackle key risk factors. He cautioned market women and traders about the dangers of fire outbreaks, emphasizing the need for vigilance and cooperation.
“To prevent market fires, I strongly recommend that cooking in the markets be prohibited. Additionally, the issue of illegal electricity connections must be addressed. The electricity company should conduct regular inspections to identify and rectify these illegalities, which often cause havoc during rainfall,” he warned.
He also pointed out that poor market layouts make it difficult for firefighters to access fire outbreaks, a situation that must be resolved immediately.
“Another major challenge is the lack of clear walkways in the markets. It’s essential to create designated paths to ensure that firefighters can easily access the market in case of a fire emergency. Currently, the numerous obstructions make it difficult for personnel to reach the seat of the fire,” he explained.
The committee’s findings and recommendations are expected to play a crucial role in guiding the regional administration’s efforts to prevent market fires. Their work will also involve engaging market women in fire safety education to promote best practices that prevent future outbreaks.
