The Regional Fire Officer for Upper East, George Asante-Wiafe has bemoaned the difficulty in accessing markets across the country accounting for the huge loss of property and livelihood in the event of a fire outbreak.
Speaking to Radio Ghana, he expressed concern over the number of market fires in the last few months and gave an assurance that the Fire Service is battle-ready to fight any fire outbreak. Mr. Asante-Wiafe advised Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to consult the service for their input when putting up markets.
The Markets which got burnt this year were Dagomba line in Kumasi displacing 200 head potters; Juaben Serwaa in Koforidua in the Eastern Region; Tarkwa in the Western Region; the Dome Market in Accra, the Odornaa Market.
The rests were Kantamanto and the Kaneshie Market. Apart from the Market fires, public institutions including the fire incidence at GCB on November 28 and the Ghana Revenue Authority office at Circle bore the brunt.
Many have raised questions about why the fires happen at dawn, weekend or when nobody is around with others raising suspicion of arson. However, Mr. Asante-Wiafe points out that illegal connection, use of inferior quality electrical gadgets and exposed electrical wires contribute to the fire outbreaks.
