PUSAG Sympathises With Kantamanto Traders -Asks Authorities To Investigate and Halt Perennial Fires In Markets

The Private Universities Students Association of Ghana (PUSAG) has  expressed its sympathies to the traders and businesses affected by Thursday’s devastating fire incident at the Kantamanto Market.

In a statement signed and released Thursday night by the PUSAG President, Ibrahim Issah, read, “the  tragic event has not only resulted in the loss of livelihoods but has also reignited concerns about the persistent vulnerability of our major markets to such disasters”.

The President stated that the nation cannot afford to overlook the recurrence of market fires, particularly in significant trading hubs like Kantamanto.

Buttressing his point, Mr Ibrahim said research has shown that between 2010 and 2023, Ghana recorded over 50 major market fire incidents.

He noted that out of the figures,  Kantamanto and other key markets such as Makola, Kejetia, and Kumasi Central Market were among the hardest hit.

Details:

The President disclosed that findings from these studies attribute many of these fires to electrical faults from overloaded circuits and outdated wiring systems.

Others were poor fire safety infrastructure, including the absence of accessible water sources and firefighting equipment.

Additionally, inadequate enforcement of safety regulations for market structures was also identified as part to the issues.

The President intimated that in the specific case of Kantamanto, repeated fire outbreaks have exposed systemic issues that demand immediate action.

“The inability to implement sustainable preventive measures after previous incidents underscores the need for accountability and reform”, the President stated.

Remedial Measures:

To curb the recurring fires, PUSAG has called for the following urgent measures including the conduct of an

immediate full scale investigation into the fire outbreak.

The Student body also demand an independent and transparent investigation into the cause of the Kantamanto fire especially.

The findings, PUSAG stresses must be made public to ensure accountability and provide insights for future prevention.

PUSAG also called for proactive measures by the Government and Transition Team of the incoming administration.

The Association asked that they prioritize the safety of traders and their investments by implementing advanced fire prevention technologies, including fire detection systems and thermal cameras.

It asked for the upgrading electrical systems and infrastructure in markets and also suggested the establishment of a national task force to monitor and enforce compliance with fire safety regulations.

Support:

Mranwhile PUSAG has assured the affected traders and their families of its support during this difficult time.

The Association President stated that it understands the profound impact this tragedy has on their livelihoods and the nation’s economy.

However, beyond expressing sympathies, PUSAG has pledged to use its platform to advocate for lasting solutions to these recurrent incidents.

“We believe advanced technology, such as AI-powered monitoring systems and automated fire suppression tools, must be leveraged to ensure markets are protected”, the President suggested

He noted that other nations had successfully deployed such systems, adding Ghana can follow suit with the right commitment.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/  Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.