Accra Market Fire: Opoku-Agyemang Calls for Lessons to Prevent Future Disasters

Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for a comprehensive evaluation of the circumstances surrounding the recent fire outbreak at the Accra Central Market, stressing the need to understand what went wrong to prevent a recurrence.

She made the remarks on Friday, June 5, during a visit to the market to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire, which affected traders at the busy commercial hub in the capital.

The Vice President was accompanied by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, the Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak, Inspector General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Accra Mayor, and other officials.

She expressed concern about the condition of the facility and urged authorities to prioritise a thorough assessment before taking any reconstruction or emergency intervention steps.

“What is the state of this building? For how long has it been in this near-disaster condition? We need to examine all of these issues so we don’t repeat the situation,” she said.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang stressed that while there is urgency to respond to the fire incident, proper evaluation must come first to guide future decisions on redevelopment and safety.

She further questioned the original design and usage of the facility, indicating that authorities must establish whether the structure was fit for purpose and how it had been managed over time.

“We need to find out exactly what went wrong. How many people was this building meant to accommodate, and what actually happened? That is the only way we avoid repeating the same situation,” she noted.

The Vice President also acknowledged the efforts of emergency personnel in bringing the fire under control, commending their swift response during the incident.

She added that although redevelopment ideas, including possible high-rise reconstruction, may be considered, decisions must be based on proper technical assessments rather than urgency alone.