February 11, 2025

Traders Assess Damage After Fire Devastates Kantamanto Market

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On January 2, 2025, a massive fire broke out at the Kantamanto Market in Accra, devastating the livelihoods of countless traders and leaving them grappling with significant losses. The vibrant market, known for its wide array of goods and bustling activity, was engulfed by flames in the early hours of the morning. Within hours, a once-thriving marketplace was reduced to smoldering ruins, with traders left helplessly staring at the remnants of their businesses.

The chaos and heartbreak were palpable as traders searched through the charred remains of their stalls, hoping to salvage something of value. The overwhelming smoke filled the air, while the sounds of sobbing and distress echoed across the site. Many traders had invested their life savings into their businesses, and for them, the fire represented not just a physical loss but also the destruction of their hard-earned future.

Among those affected was Ama Mensah, a clothing vendor who had been a part of the market for over a decade. “I’ve lost everything,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “My goods, my savings—everything is gone. I don’t know how I’m going to recover from this.” Similarly, Isabella Apoe, who operated a cold store at the market, was visibly devastated as she described the massive financial loss she had incurred. “I’ve lost millions,” she lamented, as she sifted through the debris in a futile attempt to salvage any remnants of her business.

The fire, which reportedly started in the early morning hours, spread rapidly, fueled by the flammable materials many traders used to construct their stalls. Despite the best efforts of the fire service, the blaze was uncontrollable, and by the time it was extinguished, large portions of the market had been destroyed. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire, but for the traders, the primary focus is on recovering from the catastrophe and rebuilding their businesses.

The traders, who rely on the market for their livelihoods, have been calling for support from the government to help them recover. Joshua Tetteh, a trader who also lost everything in the fire, spoke of the difficulty of his situation. “I’ve lost everything. I borrowed money to start my business, and now it’s all gone. My wife also sells clothing, and she’s lost everything too. But we won’t give up—we will rise from this.”

The loss was not limited to clothing vendors. Samuel Ahenkorah, a trader who sold jeans for both adults and children, described how he had lost significant stock. “One bail of jeans costs about GHC5,500, and I’ve lost all of it,” he said. “It’s devastating, and I can’t begin to imagine how to rebuild.”

Food vendors were also severely impacted by the fire. Fati Alhassan, who ran a food business at the market, explained how the fire destroyed her cooking equipment, as well as all the ingredients she had purchased. “We couldn’t save anything,” she said. “All my utensils, food, everything is gone.”

Hawa Yakubu, another food vendor, shared a similar experience, explaining how her stock of foodstuffs and prepared stews were entirely consumed by the flames. For these vendors, the fire has not only wiped out their stock but also their means of survival.

Market Manager Adutwum Atta Manu confirmed in an interview with Channel One News that the fire had been successfully contained by the fire service, although much of the market had been lost. He acknowledged that while some areas of the market were spared, large portions of it had been completely destroyed.

Silas Oteng-Akenteng, a vendor who lost everything in the fire, explained that he had been forced to resort to collecting scraps to sell in an attempt to make ends meet. “I’ve lost everything. Now, I’m picking up scraps to sell just to have some money in my pocket,” he said. “It’s going to be very difficult, and I’m hoping that the government will step in to help us get back on our feet.”

The fire at Kantamanto Market has left the traders devastated and struggling to come to terms with their losses. While some are turning to their communities for support, there is a growing call for government intervention to assist in their recovery and to help rebuild the market. These traders, who are an integral part of the local economy, are now faced with the daunting task of rebuilding their businesses from the ground up, and they hope that with the right support, they can rise from the ashes of this disaster.

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