The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has called for a halt to the ongoing reconstruction efforts at the Kantamanto Market site until proper fire safety measures are put in place, citinewsroom.com has reported.

Alex King Nartey, a member of the GNFS communication team, emphasised the need to prioritise fire-resistant materials and implement fire detection systems during an interview.

“We advise that the reconstruction be halted until a proper plan for the building is put together, incorporating fire-resistant materials. A proper building should include a fire detection system and firefighting tools at strategic points so that, in case of a fire, these tools, like sprinklers, will activate and extinguish the fire,” he stated.

Alex Nartey explained that collaboration with the service by market stakeholders is imperative to ensure that new structures meet modern fire safety standards.

“Ideally, per the operations of the service, we would have preferred a consultation with the Ghana National Fire Service so we could make recommendations on how the rebuilding can be done with the right fire-resistant materials,” he said.

He expressed concern over the continued use of wood in the reconstruction process, noting the potential risks associated with such materials.

“Mind you, they are still rebuilding with wood. You can’t keep on doing the same thing and expect different results. In this case, we as a service wish that the market people would have come together with us so that we could be very instrumental in the reconstruction,” he noted.

He urged market authorities and traders to engage the GNFS in the planning process to prevent future incidents and protect lives and property.

“We wish the market people would come together with us so that we can become very instrumental in the reconstruction,” he added.

These statements result from a fire that destroyed the famous Kantamanto Market in Accra, on January 2, 2025.

Several shops were destroyed, along with goods worth millions of Ghana cedis destroyed.

Traders have reportedly started rebuilding structures to resume business.

RAD/AE

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