Kantamanto Market Inferno Leaves Traders Struggling to Rebuild from Ashes
With their livelihoods reduced to ashes, traders look to rebuild, but financial and emotional tolls remain.
- Traders lost their goods, savings, and investments as the fire destroyed much of Kantamanto Market
- Vendors are pleading for government assistance and community aid to help rebuild their businesses
- Despite the overwhelming devastation, traders are determined to rise from the ashes and restore their livelihoods
A tragic fire early on January 2, 2025, ravaged the Kantamanto Market in Accra, leaving traders devastated as they sifted through the remains of their stalls.
The bustling market, known for its wide array of goods, was reduced to smoldering ruins in a matter of hours, taking with it the livelihoods of many.
The fire, which broke out in the early morning hours, spread quickly due to the flammable materials used in constructing many of the market’s stalls.
Despite efforts from the fire service, the blaze was overwhelming, and much of the market was destroyed by the time it was contained.
Among those hit hardest was Ama Mensah, a clothing vendor, who lamented, “I have lost everything – all my goods, my savings, everything is gone. I don’t know how I will recover from this.”
Cold store operator Isabella Apoe also spoke of her immense financial loss, while other traders like Joshua Tetteh shared heart-wrenching stories of the devastating impact on their businesses.
Many affected vendors, some of whom had taken out loans to fund their operations, have called for urgent government support to help them rebuild.
Samuel Ahenkorah, who lost a significant amount of stock, shared his frustration: “I’ve lost so much money. One bail of goods costs GHC5,500, it’s not easy.”
Despite the destruction, some traders, including Silas Oteng-Akenteng, are trying to make ends meet by collecting scraps to sell, as they await government assistance to help them start over.
While authorities investigate the cause of the fire, the resilient traders of Kantamanto are determined not to let the disaster extinguish their spirit.
