Major fire in Accra destroys Ghana’s main second-hand apparel market

A huge fire in Ghana’s capital Accra has burnt to a cinder the country’s main second-hand apparel market, affecting thousands of traders and causing considerable losses to the local economy, officials have said.

The fire, which started in the late evening of January 1, destroyed large swathes of the West African country’s vast Kantamanto second-hand apparel market, displacing thousands of traders, as reported by Ghana’s disaster management authorities.

The Kantamanto market, home to more than 30,000 traders and located in the heart of Accra’s business district, is a key source of revenue for many Ghanaians. The disaster was a cause of great anguish among local merchants and residents.

Hundreds of traders, many of them specialised in reselling second-hand clothes imported from abroad, chiefly from Europe, are now facing an uncertain future. The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) had to deploy thirteen fire engines to fight the flames. On Thursday, the market’s once lively alleys had turned into smoking ruins extending as far as the eye could see, testifying to the fire’s catastrophic devastation.

“This is a disaster,” said Alex King Nartey, a GNFS spokesperson, speaking to AFP. “We found no one seriously injured, but the loss to the economy is huge. According to the investigation’s initial findings, an electrical fault could have caused the fire to start, but we aren’t ruling out the possibility of arson,” he added.

King Nartey went on to say that operations to completely extinguish the fire might continue. According to the rescue services, the goods lost to the fire could be worth millions in the local currency.

The Ghanaian government has not yet issued a formal response to the tragedy.

“All is lost”

For traders like Fred Asiedu, 45, the fire was a disaster. “Everything I owned was here – my goods, my savings, my future… Now, all is lost,” he said. “How do I start my business again? The government must intervene. Without aid, our life will become unbearable,” he added.

Adjoa Amu, 39, a mother of three, shared the same feelings of deep concern. “I’ve been a salesperson here for 12 years. This market fed my children, enabled me to pay their school fees. And now, there’s nothing left except ashes,” she said.

Richard Amo Yartey, an official at the National Disaster Management Organization, said an investigation into the origins of the fire has started. “The scale of the destruction is harrowing, but we are determined to identify the causes and provide prompt assistance to the traders affected,” he added.

David Kwadwo Amoateng, president of the Traders Association of Ghana, urged the government to act swiftly, since “this market is a vital part of our economy. Traders need an emergency aid fund to deal with the situation. Without immediate intervention, the source of income for thousands of people is under threat,” he told AFP.