The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr Alhaji Mahamodu Bawumia has asked the Board and Management of the Kejetia Market Company Limited (KCML) to open the arena up for trading activities tomorrow.
This intervention throws away plans by management to close the market for a week more to allow for further investigations and assessment of the arena by experts due to the recent inferno that swept through a portion of the market.
Addressing the media during a tour of the facility, the Vice President said the report from the fire service showed that the fire was started by a trader who used gas to cook at her store.
‘’I have asked management to reconsider their stance and open the market up for trading to commence at the arena and then carry out strict examination and education of traders so that they do not engage in activities that could spark any fire again in the market’’, the Veep stated.
Details:
Earlier, the Vice President accompanied by the wife, some members of Parliament and party functionaries took a tour of the market.
The Veep and his team also inspected the burnt portions and interacted with some traders who were seen at the arena.
Dr Bawumia also interacted with some members of the Board and management of the Kejetia Market Company Limited.
Attracting a lot of attention amidst the show of anger by some traders who had been prevented from opening their shops, the Veep assured them of support.
Assurance:
Speaking to the media, Nana AKwasi Prempeh, Chairman of the Federation of Traders at Kejetia Market thanked the Vice President for his intervention.
He noted that it was surprising that despite the small portion that had been burnt the entire market was being considered for closure for another week.
The Chairman said there were outstanding issues that had to be discussed and said as investigations go on the Federation would provide information and suggestions for resolution.
‘’We are happy that the Vice President has intervened for us and we assure him that we as leaders of the traders would by ourselves carry out education and sensitization efforts so that those who trade here would know the dos and don’ts in the market arena’’, Nana Prempeh assured.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.