Some affected traders offloaded timber from a truck.
Displaced shopkeepers at Accra's Kantamanto Market have begun rebuilding their stalls, only one day after a horrific fire destroyed hundreds of livelihoods.

A video posted to TV3's X page on Friday, January 3, 2025, shows vendors unloading wood from a truck to rebuild their stalls and sheds.

The fire, which broke out at dawn on Thursday, January 2, 2024, killed one person and critically injured 14 others. It devastated huge portions of the market, displacing over 30,000 traders and demolishing over 7,000 stores.

Water shortages and logistical issues delayed firefighting efforts, causing the devastation to last longer.

During his final State of the Nation Address in Parliament, President Nana Akufo-Addo called the fire as terribly disturbing and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the traders who lost their assets and hard work.

"To put it on record, I am extremely pained by yesterday's catastrophic fire at Kantamanto Market, which has destroyed many traders' livelihoods. My thoughts and prayers are with those impacted, and I send my heartfelt condolences to the hardworking traders who have lost their goods and investments. The government supports you and will work with relevant agencies to determine the cause of the fire and provide the necessary assistance."

He stressed that the government will work closely with appropriate agencies to determine the cause of the fire and promised to assist traders in rebuilding efforts.

"As a nation, let us band together in compassion and solidarity to assist those who have experienced losses. Together, we can lend a helping hand to our fellow Ghanaians in need during this difficult time," he said.