The Minority in Parliament, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has extended financial support to victims of the recent Kantamanto fire disaster, presenting a sum of GH¢200,000 as a gesture of solidarity and relief.
Addressing traders affected by the blaze, the Minority Leader acknowledged the immense pressure on parliamentarians following the last general election, and said the time had come to “put things right.”
The Kantamanto fire, which left many traders devastated, was followed by a similar disaster in Kumasi’s Adum market. Mr. Afenyo-Markin revealed that Minority MPs from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had already presented GH¢200,000 to victims in Kumasi and were committed to offering the same level of support to those in Kantamanto.
“We are here to commiserate with you for your loss,” he said. “We know it is difficult to come by capital to trade, and if you borrow from the bank, the interest is huge. That is why we have brought you our token.”
The Minority Leader used the occasion to call on government to activate the Contingency Fund recently approved by Parliament to further support disaster victims.
“We know the government has helped some others from this fund, and we look forward to similar help for you too, so that you can have your peace,” he added.
In addition to calling for government intervention, Mr. Afenyo-Markin appealed to lending institutions and companies that have supported the traders with loans to “be considerate and lower the interest rates” in order to ease the burden on affected traders.
He also encouraged unity and political tolerance, especially in the wake of the NPP’s loss in the 2024 general election.
Urging NPP supporters not to lose hope, he reminded them of the party’s past comebacks. “In 1996, NPP got only 61 seats, but by 2000 we had 104, and our father J.A. Kufuor became President. Again, in 2016, Nana Akufo-Addo led us to a great victory with 169 seats and brought Free SHS. That noble man will be remembered,” he stated.
He expressed hope that with unity and patience, the NPP—currently holding 88 seats—will rise again.
Speaking on behalf of the Kantamanto traders, importer Aikens Boakye Mensah expressed profound gratitude to the NPP for its consistent support since the disaster.
“When the disaster happened, the NPP did not leave us. The party’s executives came here, gave us 900 bags of cement, then Dr. Bawumia personally came and gave us GH¢200,000. Later, roofing sheets worth GH¢310,000 were also brought to us,” he said.
Mr. Mensah acknowledged that the Minority’s donation brings the total support from the NPP to GH¢800,000, and said the Kantamanto traders were deeply grateful.
Market Manager Manu Adutwum noted that the traders have been grouped into 13 associations to ensure fair distribution and coordinated recovery efforts.
He called for further support as the traders continue to rebuild their lives and businesses following the destruction caused by the fire.
By Ernest Kofi Adu