The Minority in Parliament has appealed to financial institutions to reduce interest rates on loans taken by victims of the Kantamanto fire outbreak.
According to the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the impact of the disaster has made it difficult for the affected traders to honour their loan obligations on time.
Speaking during a visit to Kantamanto on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, where he donated GH₵200,000 on behalf of the caucus, the Effutu NP urged the government to come to the aid of the victims. He also encouraged the traders to honour their tax obligations to ensure national development, regardless of the party in power.
He explained that the Minority Caucus found it necessary to extend a helping hand to the Kantamanto fire victims, especially after making a similar donation to the PZ fire victims in Kumasi just a day earlier.
Touching on internal happenings within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Effutu MP advised party members to avoid the ongoing bickering and instead work together toward victory in the 2028 elections.
Afenyo-Markin began his address on a divine note with his own rendition of the ever-popular Awurade Kasa by Cindy Thompson.
The delegation, led by the Minority Leader, included Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, his deputy and Weija-Gbawe MP Jerry Ahmed Shaib, and former Deputy MASLOC CEO Afia Akoto.
The leadership of the Kantamanto traders, who received the donation, expressed their gratitude for the gesture.
An importer and member of the traders’ leadership, Aikins Boakye Mensah, assured that a full account of all donations received would be rendered on Thursday.
Over 7,000 traders were affected by the fire, which ravaged several stalls in December last year.
