The market in ruins
The Odawna Pedestrian Mall in Accra has been temporarily shut down following the fire outbreak that ravaged the market on Wednesday evening.
Officials from the Ghana Police Service (GPS), Ghana Fire Service (GFS), National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and management of the market have been tasked to carry out investigations into the fire outbreak.
They are expected to submit their reports on Monday, January 21, 2019.
Several stalls, containers and products worth millions of Ghana Cedis were gutted by the fire.
Some market women, who were affected by the fire, were at the scene on Thursday morning to try to salvage any item they could lay hands on but found nothing.
Some broke down in tears while others reportedly collapsed.
According to reports, the fire started around 8:30pm on Wednesday, but the cause has not been established officially.
Some eyewitnesses attributed the fire to leakage of gas in the market while others claimed it was due to electrical malfunctions.
The extent of damage to properties could also not be confirmed.
Speaking to the media, Director-General of NADMO, Eric Nana Agyeman-Prempeh, stated that it was important for officials to dialogue with the market women and executives of the market on preventive measures going forward, adding that officials would meet the management of the market on Monday, January 21 after submission of reports by the agencies to discuss the way forward and also make recommendations on how to prevent such incidents in the future.
“We are going to involve the market women and the executives in the study of the reports from the various agencies, and then see the best ways to prevent these things from happening in future,” he stressed.
Member of Parliament (MP) for the Korle Klottey, Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings, also expressed worry over the situation and called for an extensive education on safety measures in markets and public centers in the country.
She bemoaned the lack of hydrants in the market and narrow roads leading to the place.
The MP also called for a concerted effort by all stakeholders in preventing fire outbreak in future.
According to reports, this is the fourth consecutive time that the same market has gone up in flames.
By Nii Adjei Mensahfio