The Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, popularly known as King Zuba has announced plans to implement permanent safety measures to prevent recurring fire outbreaks at the Akwatia Line slum following a fire disaster that displaced several residents over the weekend.
The Kumasi Mayor made this known when he visited victims of the fire on Tuesday 20th January 2026, during which he presented relief items and assessed the extent of damage at the settlement.
According to the King Zuba the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), through coordinated efforts, has so far secured 250 bags of 20-kilogram rice, 104 high-density mattresses, buckets, boats, and mosquito nets to support affected residents. He noted that reconstruction efforts had already begun at the site.
“Our advice to them is that this cannot be a recurring issue every year. Fires break out here annually, which tells us that something is fundamentally wrong,” King Zuba said.
He revealed that the Assembly will deploy naval officers, fire officers, and other technical experts to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the area to identify the causes of the frequent fire outbreaks.
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The local Assemblyman, he said, will lead efforts to implement remedial measures aimed at preventing future incidents.
The Mayor explained that many of the residents affected by the fire are migrants from northern Ghana who are engaged mainly in scrap dealing and head portering.
“It is unfortunate that every year they struggle to save a little, only for fire to destroy everything they have worked for,” he said, stressing the need to address the underlying factors contributing to the disasters.
Mr. Boadi appealed to residents to cooperate with city officials during the assessment process to help develop a lasting solution.
While acknowledging that some of the structures at the site were unauthorized, the Mayor said the immediate priority of the Assembly was the safety and well-being of the victims.
“As city managers, our first responsibility is to ensure their safety. After that, we can examine what the law says and address the issues accordingly,” he noted.
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The fire, which occurred over the weekend at the Akwatia Line slum, destroyed several makeshift structures, leaving many residents displaced and in urgent need of assistance.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
