The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has visited the Aboabo Station / Nkoko Adwasuo Market in Kumasi to console traders affected by a fire outbreak on Friday night.
The inferno, which occurred on Friday, October 9, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., destroyed 15 lockable shops containing merchandise and personal belongings, leaving victims to count their losses.
Hon. Ayariga visited the scene on Saturday, October 10, in the company of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, and the Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO I Peter Tetteh.
Others in his entourage included the Metro Coordinating Director, Mr. Francis Dwira Darko, the Metro Fire Commander, DO I Thomas Asiedu, and other officials.
On behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Minister expressed sympathy to the affected traders and assured them that an assessment would be carried out to facilitate the necessary support.
While the cause of the fire is yet to be established, Hon. Ayariga urged traders to strictly observe fire safety precautions to help prevent recurrent outbreaks.
Touching on congestion, which often hampers firefighting efforts in the market, he indicated that the resumed work on Phase 2 of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project would significantly ease congestion once completed.
He further cautioned traders against using gas cookers and other highly flammable materials within the market to reduce the risk of fire.
He commended personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) for their prompt response to the emergency.
The Ashanti Regional Minister and the Kumasi Mayor also lauded the firefighters for their professionalism and dedication, describing their intervention as exemplary and timely, and noted that the damage could have been far worse without their swift action.
They assured that data on the affected traders would be compiled to help mobilize support for them.
Recounting the incident, the Ashanti Regional Fire Commander said his outfit received a distress call at about 7:35 p.m. on Friday and quickly deployed to contain the blaze. He added that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
Madam Abena Asuo, one of the victims, told the media she had left the market around 6 p.m. on Friday and was informed at about 8 p.m. that the market was on fire. She said she rushed back only to find her shop and others engulfed in flames.
She expressed gratitude to the GNFS for bringing the fire under control and thanked Hon. Ayariga and other government officials for their show of solidarity, appealing for support to help them recover from the loss.
BY Thomas Awuah Asem
