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January 2, 2025
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Firefighters battle inferno at Kantamanto Market
Money
Policy
Key Points
- A massive fire erupted at Kantamanto Market in Accra early Thursday (January 2), before business hours, with no reported casualties.
- The blaze has caused extensive damage to the market and spread to adjacent structures, including a Ghana Commercial Bank branch.
- Thirteen fire appliances from various Ghana National Fire Service stations are on site, battling the inferno, with ECG's assistance requested to cut power.
- Hundreds of traders, many specializing in used clothes, have lost their entire livelihoods, including wares and savings.
- Affected traders are appealing to the government for urgent intervention and support to help them recover from the devastating disaster.
Why This Matters
This incident is highly significant for Ghana as Kantamanto Market is a vital economic hub, especially for the informal sector and second-hand goods trade, supporting thousands of livelihoods. The destruction represents a substantial economic setback for countless families, potentially leading to increased hardship and calls for enhanced market safety regulations and government disaster relief mechanisms.
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