Mankessim (C/R), April 21, GNA – Property estimated at several thousands of Ghana Cedis have been lost in a fire outbreak at Mankessim Central Market in the Central Region.
The unfortunate incidents, which occurred during the late hours of Tuesday, had left many traders in agony and counting the cost of the losses.
An observation by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed that over 20 containers, including five cold stores were burnt to ashes in the process but no casualties were recorded.
In an interview with the GNA, Ms Jemima Amoah, a trader, said she got a distress call from a neighbour about the fire and although residents around the area tried to bring it under control, their efforts proved futile.
“My friend called that there was an outbreak in the market, I rushed and joined other residents to quench the fire but to no avail,” she lamented.
She explained that it took a long time for firefighters to enter the market to douse the fire, which had spread to other parts of the market at a fast rate.
Others revealed that they saw smoke coming from one cold store after a power outage was restored.
They complained about the recent rampant power cuts in the Municipality, which was alarming and called on the government to fix it to forestall such incidents.
Mrs Ophelia Mensah Hayford, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mfantseman Constituency, addressing the media called for collective efforts to support government’s intervention to build an ultramodern market for the traders.
She urged the traders to relocate for the contractors to begin the project to avoid any further outbreaks in the Municipality.
“I am pleading with all and sundry to relocate for the contractors to build the new market to help avoid such incidents,” she indicated.
Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Regional Minister, who visited the scene urged the public help prevent fire outbreaks.
She urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage to avoid unnecessary panic and fear among residents in the Region, and called for calm as the security agencies together with the Municipal Assembly to resolve the situation.
She was accompanied by Mr Joe Donkoh, the Regional NADMO Director, DSP Irene Oppong, Regional Police PRO, the Mfantseman Municipal Chief Executive among others.