The government has donated one million cedis to support victims of the Kantamanto Market fire which destroyed more than 7,000 shops in Accra on January 2, 2025.
The presentation follows a pledge by President John Dramani Mahama when the Kantamanto Traders Association, comprising 13 different groups, paid a courtesy call on him a week after he officially assumed office.
Weeks after the fire ravaged large sections of the market, affecting over 30,000 traders and destroying more than 7,000 shops, the government through the Chief of staff and senior government officials summoned the traders for a One million cedi compensation on behalf of the President.
The government expressed readiness to facilitate plans to rebuild the market into a multi-purpose modern facility to enhance businesses of used clothes dealers and other traders.
The Chief of Staff further called for the need for dialogue on plans to redesign the enclave and open up access for rapid response with adequate security to prevent similar incidents.
The Chairman of the Kantamanto Traders Association, Rev. Opoku Afreh, on behalf of over 13 groups, showed appreciation for the support and disclosed ongoing negotiations with ACCESS Bank to advance a loan of $100 million to build a modern market.
He, however, called for the government’s intervention to address a dispute over the affected land.
