A raging fire has gutted a section of the Madina Main Market behind the Las Palmas Restaurant which happened on Wednesday, 10th April 2024.
According to sources from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), close to 73 traders were affected, while about 56 shops were touched, some of which served as both retail and wholesale outlets and other commercial services like banking and electronics repair works.
NADMO further indicated that the cost of damaged items is estimated at GHC13,849,500.00
The Ghana National Fire Service, led by the Greater Accra Regional Fire Commander, ACFO Roberta Aggrey Ghamson were at the scene to forestall the fire from spreading and causing more harm during which all five fire tenders from Madina, Ashaiman, Legon, Jubilee House, and Adenta were mobilized by the Fire Officers to contain the situation.
There was heavy police presence led by the District Commander ASP Precious Agbenorwo of Madina Police Command and Madam Abena Kwesiwa Kyei (Municipal Coordinating Director, LaNMMA) to protect life and properties at the scene.
Also in attendance were an operations team from NADMO-LaNMMA led by Mr Forster Arthur, Municipal NADMO Director together with Mr. Gilbert Frimpong, Mr. Akoto, Mr. Lawson Adegbe, Mr. Patrick Korli, David Amponsah-Appiah of La-Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal NADMO Secretariat to assess and control movement and protection of life and properties.
It came to light, following painstaking preliminary investigations that, the cause of the fire was due to an electrical fault from one of the shops.
Majority of affected persons were traders who deal in the sale of cosmetics, footwear, bakery products, mother care products, computers and electronics accessories, food items, spices and cloths, and a micro-finance institution.
At the early hours of Thursday, 11th April 2024, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Jennifer Dede Adjabeng, led a contingent from the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly pay a familiarization visit to the scene to inspect the extent of damage the fire had caused while seizing the opportunity to console affected traders in the market.
The MCE was accompanied by the Municipal Coordinating Director, Madam Abena Kwesiwa Kyei; Municipal Planning Director, Mr Frederick Asiamah; Municipal Nadmo Director, Mr Forster Arthur; Municipal Information Officer, Mr Isaac Odoom Egyin, while the Police team was led by ASP Precious Agbenorwo of the Madina District Police Command and some other dignitaries and officers of LaNMMA.
Addressing a section of the affected traders, Hon. Adjabeng, said the Assembly would continue to stand in solidarity with them during such times while assuring them of some support to mitigate their plight.
Hon. Adjabeng indicated that modalities would be put in place to see how best the electrical issues in the market would be handled going forward.
SOURCE: NADMO – LaNMMA
