PIX: Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, a Deputy Minister for Local Government addressing the media. With him are Hon Samuel Pyne, Mayor for Kumasi, Nana Ama Ampomah, Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser and Nana Agyemang Prempeh, NADMO boss at the burnt site of the Kejetia Market earlier today

THE KUMASI Mayor, Hon Samuel Pyne together with two Deputy Ministers of Local Government as well as the Director General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser on Friday morning visited the Kejetia Market to ascertain for themselves conditions of the burnt area within the arena.

The places visited were mainly the portion that got burnt during Wednesday inferno that swept through the area where combustible items were sold.

Addressing the media after the tour, Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, a Deputy Minister for Local Government noted that the damage looks bad but was sure after investigations the portion would be repaired by the contractors.

“We would abide by the report that would be generated after the investigations by the Local Government Ministry and if it means closing the place for more than the three days we will do so to ensure remedial measures are put in place before reopening”, the Minister stated.

Kumasi Mayor:

Mr Samuel Pyne, Mayor for Kumasi expressed sadness seeing the burnt items of traders and the market arena.

He was however happy that no life was lost and noted that getting the place restored for people to commence their businesses was secondary for now.

The Mayor said it was important that remedial measures were looked at after investigations to forestall a recurrence.

“For me I am happy that no life was lost and this affords us the opportunity to do  comprehensive investigations into the fire outbreak so that we do not create any occasion for a repeat of same”, the Mayor stressed.

Ashanti NPP Women’s Organiser:
In her succinct remarks, Nana Ama Ampomah, Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser said the party was concerned about the recent fire outbreak at the Kejetia arena.

She noted that the previous Market suffered from same and so it is worrying that a better structure than the previous should also record such fires.

“Women are more here and anything that affects them affects me and the NPP party as a whole and so I pray that better measures are put into place to forestall a recurrence”, the Women’s Organiser stated.

Traders Representative:

Chairman for the Federation of Traders at  Kejetia, Nana Kwasi Prempeh commended the Deputy Ministers and the Mayor as well as the NADMO boss for taking pains to visit the place.

He noted that the traders were appreciative of the gesture knowing very well that their concerns would be addressed.

Nana Prempeh also expressed happiness that the Local Government ministry was setting up a committee into the fire incident and noted his outfit’s desire to appear before it when called before it.

“Seeing the Deputy Local Government Ministers and the Mayor of Kumasi was realy encouraging and assuring and we hope the committee that would be set to investigate the fire would call on us too to hear what we may know about it”, the Federation Chairman noted.

Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, 

Kumasi