Key Points
- Government donates GHS1 million to fire victims as promised.
- Reconstruction plans aim to improve safety and trading facilities.
- Traders secure $100 million loan but seek land dispute resolution.
To aid the victims of the fire that destroyed Accra’s Kantamanto Market on January 2, 2025, the government has donated GHS1 million.
Government fulfills promise to support Kantamanto fire victims
When Kantamanto Traders Association members, representing 13 groups, visited President John Dramani Mahama after he took office, he made a pledge that the gift carries out.
On behalf of the president, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah accepted the donation and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to transforming the market into a cutting-edge, multifunctional space. In order to avoid such events in the future, he underlined that the new design will strengthen safety measures, facilitate better emergency access, and boost trading activity.
In addition to expressing regret for the traders’ losses, Debrah reassured them that the government is committed to working with all parties involved to restructure the market.
Kantamanto Traders Association secures $100 million reconstruction loan
On behalf of the impacted organizations, Kantamanto Traders Association head Rev. Opoku Afreh sent gratitude. He bemoaned the extent of the devastation, pointing out that more than half of the market was destroyed, along with millions of dollars’ worth of merchandise and money.
As stated by Myjoyonline, In order to support the rehabilitation operations, the organization obtained a $100 million loan from Access Bank, Afreh continued, but urged the government to settle disagreements over the impacted land.
Deputy Chiefs of Staff Stanislav Dogbe and Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Presidential Legal Advisor Marietta Brew Oppong, and other government representatives attended the presenting event.
Over 7,000 stores were damaged in the fire on January 2, which put over 30,000 dealers in financial jeopardy.
