Ghana’s Parliament has taken swift action in response to the recent spate of devastating market fires across the country. The Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, has ordered the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior, as well as the Local Government and Rural Development Committee, to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fires.
The investigation aims to identify the root causes of the fires and make recommendations on how to prevent such disasters in the future. The committees have been tasked with presenting their report to the House within the first week of the second meeting of Parliament.
The move comes after Hon. Kofi Obiri Yeboah, Member of Parliament for Subin, raised concerns about the high rate of fire incidents and their devastating impact on businesses. The MP’s statement highlighted the urgent need for drastic measures to mitigate the risks and prevent further destruction.
The recent fire outbreaks at Adum in Kumasi and Magazine have destroyed parts of the industrial hub, leaving many traders and artisans with significant losses. The incidents have raised alarm across the country, emphasizing the need for enhanced infrastructure and better policies to safeguard the livelihoods of traders in local markets.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
