The traders who lost their shops in the recent fire incident at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle have received GH¢90,000 relief from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC).
The council handed over the money to the market leaders yesterday, who distributed it to 45 affected traders, giving each of them GH¢2,000.
The council also said it would work with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to install fire extinguishers at different locations within the trading areas to prevent future fire disasters of such scale.
Fire incident Several stores, including phone shops, cosmetics, wine shops and many others, were gutted by fire on Sunday, May 21, this year at Circle, behind the Royal VIP Station.
The fire, which was said to have started around 1 p.m., was put out by the GNFS personnel with assistance from the police after several hours.
No one was injured and the cause is still unknown.
Fire prevention The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, said he would meet with the various assemblies to discuss how to collaborate with the Fire Service to procure fire extinguishers for the shops so that the traders could fight the fire before it got out of control.
He acknowledged that fire incidents had become a common occurrence in the country, especially in Accra.
He said it was time for the Health and Safety Officers at the various assemblies and other stakeholders to work together to find lasting solutions to the problem.
“We need to first understand why and what causes these fires and then we can have a solution, both medium and permanent.
But for now, it is important for the assemblies to go round and educate the traders on basic fire safety precautions,” he said.
Modernisation He also said the government was planning to modernise most of the markets in the region and other parts of the country to prevent market disasters and also provide a better place for the traders.
He urged the traders to abide by the law and avoid any illegal electricity connections.
He also advised them to adopt some safety fire prevention measures.
“Government will do its part but it’s also up to you the traders to ensure that your wares are safe.
Don’t start any fire in the market place and don’t leave any naked fire unattended to.
Henry Quartey (left), the Greater Accra Regional Minister, presenting some money to one of the affected traders Henry Quartey (left), the Greater Accra Regional Minister, presenting some money to one of the affected traders
