The destruction of the capital and the products after the fire outbreak have left traders at Accra's Katamanto market in agony.
Despite the efforts of the fire department, the market was reduced to ashes around dawn on Thursday, January 2, 2024.
Ghanaian billionaire Osei Kwame Despite has been urged to assist a male market vendor.
In a heartfelt plea for assistance, a victim of the recent Katamanto market fire outbreak has turned to Ghanaian billionaire Osei Kwame Despite.

On Thursday, January 2, 2025, around daybreak, a fire inundated Katamanto, Ghana's largest market for used apparel.

Despite this, a Katamanto fire victim begs Osei Kwame for assistance. UGC is the source of the image. Origin: TikTok
Many businesses have allegedly been distraught and are in excruciating anguish over the loss of their capital and goods as more than 100 shops have been reduced to ashes.

A male trader, whose identity has not yet been verified, claimed that the fire that broke out last Thursday morning had destroyed numerous lives and enterprises.

The middle-aged man pleaded with Ghanaian businessmen and the wealthy in society, particularly Osei Kwame Despite, to come to the aid of the traders, many of whom are women.

"What has happened to us is devastating and so I want to appeal to the wealthy people in Ghana, especially Dr Osei Kwame Despite to come to our aid," he said.
Speaking in a video sighted by YEN.com.gh on social media, the male trader blamed the Ghana National Fire Service for the spread of the fire.

"If the fire service claims that they did a good job, I'm telling you on authority that they did not do anything. As at 2 AM when I was here, their cars were packed. No fire service person was fighting the fire from all angles of the market," he alleged.

Osei Kwame Despite's philanthropist work
Osei Kwame Despite is one of the richest men in Ghana, with many businesses to his name.

The Ghanaian business mogul is widely known for his charitable endeavours, helping the poor and needy, especially widows, in Ghana.


It, therefore, stands to reason why the Katamanto market victim would appeal to him for help.

He is also a prominent member of the East Legon Executive Club, a group comprising some of Ghana's richest men.