Gov't to assist fire victims at Kantamanto market

Accra, Sept. 24, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Wednesday announced that government has authorised the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to establish a special office, to cater for victims of the fire disaster that erased Kantamanto market on Monday, September 22.

The office, which would be operative on Wednesday, October 1, would evaluate the loss of the traders to enable government to offer them relief.

The incident, which occurred around 2018 hours, however, did not register any casualties but led to the burning of more than 600 stalls. Alhaji Mahama made the announcement when he led a government delegation to the smoke-filled market, where the massive destruction of the disaster was eminent by the look of the burnt downed sheds and the debris of the merchandise destroyed.

Alhaji Mahama was flanked by Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of the Interior and the Minister of State at the Ministry, Nana Obiri Yeboah, Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister and Mr Stanley Nii Blankson, AMA Chief Executive.

The rest are the Inspector General of Police, Mr Patrick Acheampong Mr Felix Kwame Ferkah, Chief Fire Officer and Mr Douglas Akrofi Asiedu, acting Co-ordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation. Alhaji Mahama said he had informed President John Agyekum Kufuor, who is on official tour of the US on telephone about the incident and had therefore led the delegation to convey government's sympathy to them.

He said government was greatly disturbed by the incident, since the disaster would have negative consequence on the national economy. "Whatever affects you (traders) affects government," he said, attracting prolonged cheers.

Alhaji Mahama however, cautioned the traders to learn a lesson from the incident and prevent future occurrence. Dr Addo-Kufuor announced a relief package of 100 packets of roofing sheets and 500 bags of cement from his Ministry to the victims. Sheikh Quaye said the Regional Co-ordinating Council would also unveil an assistance package.

Mr. Blankson announced that the flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo- Addo has donated 1,000 packets of roofing sheets to the victims.

He cautioned the traders to be circumspective about their business operations, since the market had suffered two major fire disasters in two years.

Mr Ferkeh asked the assemblies to provide fire hydrants and access roads to all markets to facilitate the combating of fire and other disasters.

He also appealed to government to improve on the fire tender fleet of the Ghana National Fire Service to enable it to live up to its responsibilities. Mr. Ferkeh asked the traders to avoid setting fires for cooking and illegal electrical connections, which often led to disasters. 24 Sept. 08