The Management of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has announced an immediate ban on the sale of explosive and highly inflammable materials within the Kumasi City Market and its surrounding areas, in a decisive move aimed at preventing fire outbreaks and safeguarding lives and property.
The directive, which takes immediate effect, specifically targets traders dealing in substances such as carbide, petrol (gasoline), acid, gas cylinders, black powder, smokeless powder, and other combustible materials considered dangerous in densely populated commercial zones.
According to the Assembly, all dealers and traders engaged in the sale of such materials have until Sunday, 1st March 2026, to remove their stock from their shops and cease operations within the market enclave. The Assembly has made it clear that failure to comply with the directive will attract strict sanctions.
KMA emphasized that the measure forms part of broader efforts to strengthen safety regulations within the bustling commercial hub, which remains one of the largest and busiest markets in West Africa.
Security Task Force to Enforce Directive
To ensure full compliance, a joint security task force comprising personnel from the military, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and national security operatives will be deployed to conduct inspections and enforce the ban.
The task force is expected to embark on what officials describe as a “massive operation” to identify and prosecute recalcitrant traders who defy the directive. Authorities say the operation will be thorough and uncompromising, stressing that public safety remains paramount.
The decision comes against the backdrop of recurring fire outbreaks in major markets across the country, incidents that have led to devastating losses running into millions of cedis. Kumasi City Market, due to its congestion and the nature of goods sold, has often been cited as highly vulnerable to fire disasters.
KMA officials maintain that the continued sale and storage of explosive and flammable materials within such a crowded commercial space poses a serious risk, particularly in areas where electrical wiring, open flames, and cooking activities are common.
“The safety of traders and patrons is our utmost priority,” the Assembly noted, adding that the directive is not intended to frustrate legitimate businesses but to ensure that hazardous materials are handled in designated and regulated locations.
The Assembly has therefore called on all affected traders to cooperate fully with the directive and relocate their operations to approved areas that meet safety standards. Market leaders and associations have also been encouraged to assist in sensitizing members to avoid confrontations during the enforcement exercise.
Patrons of the market have largely welcomed the move, expressing hope that the ban will reduce the risk of sudden infernos that often destroy goods and livelihoods.
As Kumasi continues to grow as a commercial powerhouse in the Ashanti Region, city authorities say proactive measures such as this are necessary to maintain order and protect investments.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has reiterated its commitment to enforcing regulations that promote safety, environmental health, and sustainable urban management. With the deadline fast approaching, all eyes will be on how swiftly traders comply with the directive and how effectively the security task force executes its mandate.
For now, the message from the KMA is clear: public safety cannot be compromised.
