By Rachel Quartey
Ten days after a devastating fire tore through the Dansoman Market in Accra, angry and frustrated traders are demanding urgent support and clarity on their future. The fire, which occurred at dawn on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, destroyed dozens of structures, wiped out livelihood investments, and tragically claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl who was trapped in a wooden structure.
At a media briefing on Friday, December 5, spokesperson for the Dansoman Market Tailors, Dressmakers, and Petty Traders Association, Rev. Eric Amo, said the victims feel abandoned despite early visits and assurances from authorities.
“Our gathering this morning is not for fun. It’s because we are in pain,” he said. “When I arrived here around 1:00 a.m., the whole place had already been ravaged by fire. The assembly came, the Gender Minister came, MASLOC came, NADMO came, but that was the last time we saw them. We have not had any assurance about whether this place will be rebuilt for us to continue our business.”
Rev. Amo who is also a fashion designer, described the growing anxiety among traders who say the Christmas season — their busiest period — is slipping away, leaving them without work or income.
“This is our season. We don’t know what to turn to. Today is the tenth day, and we still don’t know our fate,” he lamented. “We can’t keep coming here every day and going back with nothing.”
He appealed to government, corporate bodies, NGOs, and well-known philanthropists to intervene.
“We are totally down. Everything has been rubbished by the fire — not even a single pin was saved. We are appealing to all organizations, NGOs, individuals… even if our father, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, can hear us, we are appealing to him. Uncle Despite, Media General, other companies — anyone who can support us,” he said.
He stressed that many traders now risk unemployment, with families to feed and children returning to school soon.
“The reality is dawning on us that we are becoming unemployed. You can’t go and stay with another fashion designer forever — two or three days and they’ll be fed up. We need to get back on our feet now,” he said.
Rev. Eric Amo also pleaded with local banks and suppliers to consider special arrangements to help them replace destroyed machines and tools.
Meanwhile, the Ablekuma West Municipal Chief Executive, George Kpakpo Allotey, has confirmed that the official report on the fire outbreak is ready and will soon be made public.
He assured traders that government is committed to supporting them.
“About 120 traders have been affected, though the number may be higher because some individuals had multiple shops,” the MCE said during a media engagement. “Government has already provided some relief items, and we ask the traders to be patient as we finalize processes. A portion of the market will be reopened for those who were not affected.”
He added that government is working to ensure affected traders receive support and can have “a decent Christmas” despite the tragedy.
For now, however, those whose stalls were burnt say hope is fading — and they are pleading with anyone who can help to step in before the situation worsens.
