- NADMO warns thousands of traders and shoppers are at risk after safety inspections in over 30 Kumasi markets
- Shops found without fire alarms, smoke detectors, or functional extinguishers; some have substandard wiring
- Traders caught cooking with gas cylinders and coal; over 50 cylinders seized
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Ashanti Region has issued a warning that thousands of traders and shoppers face serious risks after inspections revealed major fire safety lapses in over 30 markets across Greater Kumasi, including the newly constructed Kejetia Market.
Regional NADMO Director, Alhaji Abdul Nasir Mohammed, said checks conducted between October and November uncovered shops lacking essential safety equipment such as fire alarms, smoke detectors, and functional fire extinguishers.
“We found shops without fire alarms, no smoke detectors, and no working extinguishers. Some wiring is done with substandard materials. These are ticking time bombs in facilities that host thousands daily,” he stated.
The inspections also exposed illegal and unsafe electrical connections, including exposed wiring, even in markets expected to meet modern safety standards.
NADMO officers additionally observed traders cooking with gas cylinders, coal pots, and other heat sources—practices deemed highly dangerous in crowded market spaces. During the operation, more than 50 gas cylinders and related equipment were seized.
To reduce the ongoing risk, NADMO plans to require traders to sign bonds of good conduct, pledging not to cook or bring prohibited equipment into the markets. Traders’ personal information will also be recorded to enhance compliance and accountability.
Despite these measures, Alhaji Mohammed noted that NADMO continues to face logistical and resource constraints and appealed for support from both public and private sectors to prevent future disasters.
“We can only keep our markets safe if everyone—traders, authorities, and partners—plays their part,” he emphasized.
Assistant Station Officer Theophilus Kwaku Appiah of the Kumasi Metro Fire Office also warned traders against cooking within market premises.
“If you have medical conditions that require you to prepare food, we urge you to cook at home and bring it to the market. Do not cook on-site,” he said, cautioning that violations will attract penalties.
Officials from the Ghana Standards Authority, including Eugene Antwi Nuamah, highlighted the poor condition of many seized gas cylinders. He warned that most Ghanaians neglect checking the lifespan of cylinders, which should last about 10 years with proper care. Mr. Nuamah advised the public to replace cylinder valves regularly and consult experts if safety concerns arise.
The inspections come amid ongoing national discussions about market fires, which have caused millions of cedis in losses over the years, particularly in congested trading hubs in Kumasi and Accra.
