President Mahama pledges support to Adum market fire victims.

President John Dramani Mahama has visited Adum, Kumasi, to assess the damage caused by a devastating fire outbreak that destroyed several shops on Friday. The visit came after he launched the ‘Tree for Life’ programme in Nkawie.

“It is truly heartbreaking—the extent of the damage and the number of shops destroyed makes this incident very worrying,” the President stated.

President Mahama commended the Fire Service for their quick response but highlighted a recurring problem where firefighters struggled to access the market due to poorly designed entrances.

“This is a common issue in many of our markets. Firefighters must have quick access in emergencies. We need to rethink how our markets are structured to prevent delays in emergency response,” he emphasized.

The Chief of Staff has been directed to work with the Ashanti Regional Minister and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to engage the affected traders to assess losses and provide immediate relief.

Additionally, President Mahama stated that he would consult Chief of Staff Julius Debrah to determine how the government can further support traders in their recovery.

The President warned against unsafe practices, such as the use of gas cylinders inside market spaces. As explosions from gas cylinders could still be heard at the scene, he urged traders to avoid cooking in markets, as it poses a significant fire risk.

Written by Ellen Frimpong.