The government says it has installed 1,370 fire extinguishers and set up a temporary fire station at Accra’s Kantamanto market following a major fire last year.
Local Government Minister Ahmed Ibrahim announced the safety measures during an appearance before Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee.
The interventions, designed to protect traders and prevent future outbreaks, include training 682 traders to use the new extinguishers and educating more than 12,000 market members on fire safety. Daily security patrols have also been deployed in partnership with the OR Foundation.
While the Accra Metropolitan Assembly plans to introduce fireballs and smoke detectors in high-risk zones, Mr Ibrahim revealed that the smoke detector rollout is currently on hold due to operational delays by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
The minister assured parliamentarians that the government is working with stakeholders to complete the safety upgrades at Kantamanto and other major markets across the country.
“Following actions have so far been undertaken. We have installed one thousand three hundred and seventy fire extinguishers across all sections in the Kantamanto markets.
“Honourable chair, currently the installation of the smoke detectors is on hold. ECG operational delays have affected businesses in the market and also stalled progress,”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
