Kumasi’s Central Business District was recently ravaged by a devastating fire outbreak at Adum, leaving a trail of destruction and raising concerns about fire safety and emergency response.
The blaze, which injured nine people and caused widespread damage, has sparked a heated debate about the underlying causes.
While the official investigation is still underway, opposition lawmakers are pointing fingers at the government’s failure to address the persistent power crisis.
Addressing the issue on the floor of Parliament on Monday, March 24, Member of Parliament for Subin, Kofi Obiri Yeboah, urged the government to take immediate action.
He revealed that in his interactions with traders and eyewitnesses, “In my interaction with traders and eyewitnesses, it was revealed that this fire was allegedly triggered by dumsor. Power had been out, and the moment electricity was restored, it sparked and triggered the fire. Mr. Speaker, this is most unfortunate, considering how far we have come as a nation.”
Yeboah also highlighted the challenges faced by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in responding to the incident.
“Reports indicate that the Fire Service was handicapped in their attempt to salvage the situation due to non-existent fire hydrants at nearby stations and major logistical constraints. The congested nature of the market, coupled with the lack of modern firefighting infrastructure, worsened the situation, making it almost impossible for firefighters to contain the blaze.”
As the affected traders and business owners begin to rebuild, they are calling for immediate government intervention to prevent similar disasters in the future.
The government is under pressure to provide relief and support to those affected, while also addressing the systemic issues that contributed to the devastating fire outbreak.