The Government has donated GH¢1 million to support victims of the fire disaster that razed down the Kantamanto Market in Accra.
The inferno swept through the popular clothing market on January 2, 2025, making those who ply their trade there lose their livelihoods.
The presentation follows a pledge by President John Dramani Mahama to the victims when the Kantamanto Traders Association, comprising 13 different groups, called on him a week after he assumed office.
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, who made the presentation on behalf of the President in Accra on Thursday, expressed the government’s readiness to facilitate plans to rebuild the market into a modern multi-purpose facility.
Doing that, Mr Debrah stated that would enhance businesses of used clothes dealers and other traders whilst boosting the economy.
According to him, President Mahama had resolved to address permanently the fire challenge at the market, which had become almost an annual event.
“There is hope. The President was elected to solve problems and he is ready to help devoid of politics,” Mr Debrah noted.
The Chief of Staff expressed the government’s sympathy to the traders for their losses.
He emphasised the need for the traders to be ready for a dialogue on plans to redesign their business enclave, by way of opening up access for rapid response to fire outbreaks in order to prevent any future disaster.
The Chairman of the Kantamanto Traders Association,
Reverend Opoku Afreh, on behalf of over 13 groups, thanked the President for the support.
He told the Chief of Staff that over half of the Kantamanto market was totally razed down including millions of cedis in sales made yet to be deposited at the banks.
“One wholesale, which has never been torched and bales of clothes worth $1.7million were totally destroyed” he emphasised.
Rev. Opoku disclosed that, they have negotiated a deal with ACCESS Bank, which is ready to advance a loan of $100million to build a modern market.
He, however, called for government’s intervention to address a dispute over the affected land.
Present were the two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe and Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, the Legal Advisor to the President, Marietta Brew Oppong and some Presidential Staffers.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
