By Muyid Deen Suleman/Samuel Ofori Boateng, GNA
Kumasi, March 25, GNA – Former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, paid a working visit to the Adum Blue Light fire disaster scene to sympathise with the affected traders.
Dr Bawumia, who was accompanied by some Members of Parliament, former government appointees, and leading members of the NPP, donated GH¢200,000.00 and 1,000 bags of cement to support the traders’ recovery efforts.
The fire, which occurred on Friday, March 21, 2025, ravaged the entire ‘Blue Light’ market enclave in the central business district of Kumasi, destroying merchandise worth millions of Ghana cedis and rendered hundreds of traders jobless and plunging them into huge financial loses.
The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be but some of the affected traders are pointing accusing fingers on the persistent power fluctuations in the area before the outbreak.
The Ashanti Regional Security Council had already ordered investigations into the horrific fire disaster in the recent history of Kumasi.
The President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, had already visited the victims and instructed the National Disaster Management Organization to organize relief items to support the victims.
The NADMO and personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service and other security agencies are still working to clear the debris to pave the way for the reconstruction of the market.
While the government wants to clear the area and prepare it for the construction of a modern market, the affected traders are calling on the government to allow them to reconstruct the market by themselves.
The traders argue that it would take a longer time for the government to complete the construction project, and the delay could hugely impact on their livelihoods.
Again, most of them would not be able to afford the rent if the government constructed the market through a private developer.
Addressing the traders, Dr Bawumia urged them to exercise restraint and wait for the investigative report to determine the actual cause of the disaster.
In a related development, a delegation from the Kumasi traditional council had also visited the scene to assess the situation and report to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
GNA
