It’s been seven days of sorrow and grief for traders at Adum, juxtaposed with an outpouring of condolences from well-wishers, including President John Dramani Mahama, following last Friday’s devastating fire at Adum in Kumasi.

Since then, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, ministers of state, government officials, and prominent traditional leaders in Kumasi have visited the victims to express their condolences and provide donations, in addition to President Mahama’s efforts.

However, the fate of the victims remains uncertain after losing millions of cedis in the high-intensity and difficult-to-contain fire.

A few have managed to display their unburned goods for sale along the road from Hello FM building to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Roundabout.

But the majority of victims visit the disaster area daily without receiving any information from city authorities or the Ashanti Regional Minister about the future of their businesses.

Fear has gripped traders, who have been manning the disaster area 24/7 to prevent potential eviction or denial of trading rights.

Rumours suggest that higher authorities plan to evict them, prompting their decision to stay put.

On Tuesday, the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) visited the site, and traders pleaded with them to intervene.

On KTC arrival displaying placards that read: “Otumfuo, please come to our aid,” “Nana, we need your help to stay here,” and “Otumfuo, please give us the opportunity to redevelop this place.”

Although the traditional leaders failed to respond due to Otumfuo’s absence, the fear of losing their livelihoods continues to escalate.

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s (KMA) Works Department has conducted structural integrity tests on affected buildings.

Metal plates and debris from hundreds of temporary structures razed by the fire have been cleared from the area, however, the next decision remains unpredictable.

BY Thomas Awuah-Asem 

Kumasi