Kejetia Adum PZ Fire: Traders/victims harbor fear over reconstruction of the whole market, concerns of not getting their stores back arise
The recent fire outbreak at the Kejetia PZ market in Kumasi has left many traders devastated, as their stores and livelihoods were destroyed in the blaze. While the city authorities and stakeholders are contemplating rebuilding the market, a sense of fear and uncertainty looms over the traders, many of whom are worried about the future of their businesses.
Emmanuel Kwarteng, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Kumasi City Traders Association, voiced these concerns in an interview with Kessben. He highlighted that while the promise of rebuilding is welcomed, many traders are anxious about the process and whether they will be able to regain their stores once the market is reconstructed.
The fire that broke out at the Kejetia PZ market in Kumasi wreaked havoc, with dozens of stores being completely destroyed. The traders, who rely on the market for their daily business activities, were left in shock and despair as they watched their goods, shops, and inventory go up in smoke.
This tragedy has brought attention to the vulnerability of many market spaces in Ghana, particularly in the major commercial hubs like Kumasi. The loss was not only financial but also emotional for the victims, as many traders had built their businesses over several years.
Kwarteng acknowledged the plans to reconstruct the market but emphasized the fears that traders have regarding the rebuilding process. According to Kwarteng, many traders are worried that the new market will not accommodate all the people who lost their stores in the fire. These traders fear that they may not be able to reclaim their original spaces, despite having lost everything in the disaster.
The concerns raised by the traders are not unfounded. The rebuilding process of such a large market is complex, and there are fears that the demand for space in the newly constructed market will outstrip supply. Traders who have lost their stores are worried that they may not be prioritized or adequately compensated when it comes to securing new stalls in the rebuilt structure.
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