Ten days after a devastating fire ravaged the Dansoman Market, victims are appealing to the government, corporate bodies, and individuals for immediate support and a clear plan for the market’s reconstruction. The fire, which occurred late on Tuesday, October 25, destroyed an estimated 120 to 150 shops, leaving dressmakers, hairdressers, and petty traders without livelihoods just before the crucial Christmas season.
In an emotional press conference held at the disaster site, a spokesperson for the victims, Reverend Eric Amu, a fashion designer, articulated the group’s distress. “We are gathered here this morning not for fun, but because we are in pain over what happened 10 days ago,” Reverend Amu stated. He recounted arriving at the scene around 1 a.m. on the following day to find the entire area engulfed.
Reverend Amu noted that on the day following the tragedy, high-ranking officials including the Gender Minister, representatives from MASLOC, NADMO, and the Member of Parliament visited the site. However, he lamented the lack of follow-up and assurance since then. “That was the last time we saw them, even though there have been some promises,” he said, acknowledging that NADMO did provide some relief items later.
The core of the traders’ anxiety centers on their future. “The reality is dawning on us as to what is going to happen concerning what we do here,” Reverend Amu explained. “We’ve not had any assurance from anywhere to tell us whether this place is going to be rebuilt for us to continue our business or not.” He emphasized that they urgently demand to know the fate of the market structure to end the uncertainty that has left them unable to work, pleading, “We cannot be coming here every day and be going back without earning anything.”
The victims, representing the Dansoman Market Tailors, Dressmakers, and Petty Traders Association, are making a desperate plea for help. With the profitable Christmas season underway, they are “totally down” and appeal for immediate financial and material aid to keep their families afloat and their children in school next year.
They stressed that all their tools, including sewing machines, were lost and appealed to specific individuals and organizations including the Presidency, the Finance Ministry, the Ministry of Trade, and the Gender Ministry to intervene immediately. The appeal was also directed at corporate organizations, NGOs, and prominent individuals such as Ibrahim Mahama and Kennedy Agyapong, and even local banks, to help them get back on their feet. A specific appeal was made to a named machine supplier, Sulemana, to extend credit or assistance with equipment.
In a separate interview, the Municipal Chief Executive, George K. Allotey, confirmed that the reports from the Ghana National Fire Service and the Police investigation have been completed. “The reports just came yesterday, and so in no time we will make the reports public,” MCE Allotey stated. He confirmed the municipality’s commitment to the victims. “We want to assure them that government will come to their aid very, very, very soon.”
The MCE requested patience from the affected traders and assured them the government will ensure their Christmas will not be “dry.” While an unaffected portion of the market has been reopened, he confirmed the high toll of the damage.
“The records we have, we have about 120 affected individuals. But there are individuals who have two, three or more shops. So if you want to itemize it, then the number could go up around 140, 150.” The total cost of the reconstruction and support package is yet to be determined, pending the presentation of the reports to the relevant Ministers.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
