Mahama visits scene of burnt Makola market

President John Mahama is touring the Makola No. 2 market which is the latest to suffer fire outbreak in the country’s major market centres.

The decision to tour the burnt market was taken moments after President Mahama held a crucial meeting with his Vice, Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur on Thursday, hours after his return from official assignments in Ethiopia.

The president, who was given a thorough briefing on the fire outbreaks, especially last Tuesday’s inferno at the Makola Number No. 2 market, was worried at the developments.

“President Mahama is very much concerned about these developments,” according to Deputy Information Minister, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, while briefing journalists at the Flagstaff House on Thursday.

Murtala Mohammed said government is likely to reach a decision by close of day today, on dealing with the outbreaks.

There have been six fire outbreaks in some major markets in Accra including, the Kantamanto, Makola No. 2, Agbogbloshie and the Dome markets all in Accra as well as the Kumasi Central market in the Ashanti Region.

The frequency of the occurrence of the blaze has raised concerns over the cause of these fires with Deputy Trade Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuye suspecting sabotage.

However, Mr. Murtala Mohammed said government cannot immediately confirm arson until investigations are over.