In the wake of the devastating fire outbreaks which gutted Kantamanto and a couple of other markets nationwide, President John Mahama has pledged to improve the state of markets nationwide.

The president said that the improvements were the result of a campaign pledge to update markets all around the nation when speaking with the traders' leadership at the Kantamanto market.

At a conference in Accra, he informed market leaders, "The Market Enhancement Program is part of our [NDC] manifesto and aims to give all markets a facelift so that people can be attracted to those places."

The president stated that he had instructed Julius Debrah, the chief of staff at the presidency, to keep in touch with the traders so that both parties could determine the most effective way for the government to help the victims of the fire event.

While the government was aware of a long-term plan, he added that the meeting with the Chief of Staff was also part of the government's urgent response to the tragedy and that it would help the administration come up with quick measures. Recall that on January 2, 2025, a fire severely damaged a number of stores and buildings in Kantamanto.

Following the outbreak, many traders who own shops at the premises have disclosed losses worth several thousands of cedis. 

So far, the market persons have received donations from  a number of organizations and high-profile individuals including Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the Leader of New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako.

Meanwhile, the Techiman Central Market was gutted by fire on Sunday, destroying several shops, leaving scores of traders in despair.