More than 500 residents, primarily women and children, have been displaced after a fierce fire engulfed Baba Ayoyo, a densely populated slum in Ahodwo under the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, on the night of Wednesday, July 9.
The fire, which broke out around 8:30 p.m., destroyed over 100 makeshift structures, leaving victims with little to no possessions. Many survivors were forced to take refuge in nearby churches, homes, and open verandas as they awaited emergency assistance.
GHOne News’ visit to the scene on Thursday, July 10, revealed heartbreaking destruction, leaving victims helpless. Children were spotted roaming naked in the area, unable to attend school because their uniforms and educational materials had been consumed by the fire.
Parents, particularly mothers, were seen struggling to cope with the devastation and the uncertainty of securing shelter and food for their families.
Abena Ayaaba, a mother of three, told GHOne News, “I have lost all my properties to the fire, including my children’s school uniforms, books, and other valuable items I had in my room. At the moment, my kids are walking naked. The attire I’m wearing now is a gift someone gave me this morning. Our situation is bad at the moment we are helpless. We can only count on the government to come to our aid and support us,” she pleaded.
Desperate for relief, many of the displaced residents are appealing to the government, NGOs, and benevolent individuals for urgent support in the form of food, clothing, and temporary accommodation. While some victims expressed faint hope of rebuilding their lives, many acknowledged they cannot do it alone.
Kwadwo Awuni, a vehicle mechanic whose shop was consumed by the fire, shared his sorrowful story.
“I’m a mechanic. I have lost everything I had in my shop to the fire, including clients’ spare parts. Thanks to people who came to help me, I was able to move some of the cars I was working on. But the majority of the spare parts have been burnt. At the moment, I don’t know what to say. I’m sure the owners of those items have heard the news. I hope when they come, they won’t demand I replace them, but if they do, I wouldn’t know what to do. I’m currently looking up to the government to support me and other victims to restart life again,” he narrated.
Although the cause of the fire is unknown, the unit committee member of the area, along with other victims, suspects a jealous boyfriend whose girlfriend had recently broken up with him might have set the lady’s wooden structure on fire, which then spread to others.
“After the fire was brought under control, I was told there’s a lady here who broke up with her boyfriend. The police had warned him not to come to this area again after he threatened the lady with a gun. They say he was spotted around the lady’s wooden structure. Later, they noticed the place was on fire, so he is being suspected of possibly setting the place on fire, which then escalated to other structures.”
Management of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), National Security, and the Mayor of Kumasi are scheduled to visit the site on Friday, July 11.
As the community reels from the disaster, urgent coordinated support is needed to provide relief and help victims begin the difficult journey toward recovery.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
