The government has donated one million cedis to support victims of the fire disaster that swept through the Kantamanto Market in Accra on January 2, 2025
The presentation follows a pledge by the President, when the Kantamanto Traders Association, comprising 13 different groups, paid a courtesy call on him a week after he officially assumed office.
The Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, who made the presentation on behalf of the President, John Dramani Mahama also, expressed readiness to facilitate plans to rebuild the market into a multi-purpose modern facility to enhance businesses of used clothes dealers and other traders.
“There is hope. The President was elected to solve problems and he is ready to help devoid of politics” Mr Debrah noted.
The Chief of Staff expressed the government’s sympathy especially in these difficult times for the heavy losses. He emphasized the need for the traders to open up for dialogue on plans to redesign the enclave and open up access for rapid response with adequate security to prevent another major disaster.
The Chairman of the Kantamanto Traders Association, Rev. Opoku Afreh, on behalf of over 13 groups, whose leadership was present thanked the President for the support.
He said over half of the Kantamanto was totally razed down including millions of cedis in sales made yet to be deposited at the banks.
“One wholesale, which has never been torched, and bales of clothes worth $ 1.7 million were totally destroyed” he emphasized.
Rev. Opoku disclosed that they have negotiated a deal with ACCESS Bank, which is ready to advance a loan of $ 100 million to build a modern market.
He however called for the government’s intervention to address a dispute over the affected land.
Present were the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Stanislav Dogbe and Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, the Legal Advisor to the President, Marietta Brew Oppong, and some Presidential Staffers.
The January 7 Kantamanto Market fire disaster destroyed more than 7,000 shops.
