The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim Mahama Ayariga, has visited the Aboabo Station / Nkoko Adwasuo Market in Kumasi to console traders affected by a devastating fire outbreak on Friday night.
The inferno, which occurred on Friday, October 9, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., swept through a section of the market, destroying 15 lockable shops containing merchandise, cash, and personal belongings worth thousands of Ghana cedis, leaving victims to count their losses.
Hon. Ayariga visited the scene on Saturday, October 10, in the company of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, and the Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO I Peter Tetteh.
Also in his entourage were the Metro Coordinating Director, Mr. Francis Dwira Darko, the Metro Fire Commander, DO I Thomas Asiedu, and other officials from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the Regional Coordinating Council.
Addressing the affected traders and the media, Hon. Ayariga, on behalf of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, expressed deep sympathy to the victims and assured them of government’s commitment to support them.
He disclosed that a thorough assessment of the damage would be carried out immediately to facilitate the necessary intervention and support for the affected traders.
While the cause of the fire is yet to be officially established, the Minister urged traders to strictly observe fire safety precautions to help prevent recurrent outbreaks that continue to destroy livelihoods in markets across the country.
Minister Cautions Against Gas Cookers, Congestion
Touching on congestion, which often hampers firefighting efforts in the market, Hon. Ayariga indicated that the resumed work on Phase 2 of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project would significantly ease congestion in the central business district once completed, and provide safer, modern trading spaces.
He further cautioned traders against the dangerous practice of cooking and using gas cylinders, stoves and other highly flammable materials within the market, stressing that such practices increase the risk of fire outbreaks.
He commended personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) for their prompt response to the emergency, describing their swift intervention as crucial in preventing the fire from spreading to other parts of the market.
Regional Minister, Mayor Laud GNFS
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and the Kumasi Mayor, Hon. Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, also lauded the firefighters for their professionalism and dedication, describing their intervention as exemplary and timely, and noted that the damage could have been far worse without their swift action.
They assured that data on all affected traders would be compiled by the KMA to help mobilize adequate support for them.
Victims Count Their Losses
Recounting the incident, the Ashanti Regional Fire Commander, ACFO I Peter Tetteh, said his outfit received a distress call at about 7:35 p.m. on Friday and quickly deployed personnel and fire tenders to contain the blaze. He added that investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Madam Abena Asuo, one of the victims, told journalists she had left the market around 6 p.m. on Friday and was informed at about 8 p.m. that the market was on fire. She said she rushed back only to find her shop and others completely engulfed in flames.
She expressed gratitude to the GNFS for bringing the fire under control and thanked Hon. Ayariga and other government officials for their show of solidarity, appealing for support to help them recover from the huge loss.
