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In 2025, Ghana experienced several significant fire incidents, causing extensive damage to businesses, livelihoods, and infrastructure. Below is a breakdown of the major fire outbreaks:
Kantamanto Market Fire (January 1, 2025)
On New Year’s Day, a devastating fire engulfed Accra’s Kantamanto Market, one of the world’s largest secondhand clothing markets. The blaze destroyed thousands of stalls, affecting approximately 8,000 traders and resulting in economic losses estimated in the millions of Ghanaian cedis.
Preliminary investigations pointed to faulty electrical connections as a probable cause, though arson was not ruled out. In response to the tragedy, The Or Foundation committed $1 million to support cleanup and rebuilding efforts, highlighting the market’s global importance in sustainable fashion.
Kumasi Central Business District Fire (March 21, 2025)
In March, a significant fire outbreak struck Kumasi’s central business district, affecting three major storey-buildings and numerous shops. The inferno caused substantial property losses and disrupted commercial activities.
Following the incident, President John Dramani Mahama visited the site and stressed the urgent need for improved market planning to prevent future fires. He highlighted how inadequate access roads hampered firefighting efforts and pledged support for affected traders through the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other relief agencies.
Regional Fire Incidents
Effutu Municipality
The Effutu directorate of the Ghana National Fire Service reported 74 fire incidents from January to December 2024, a sharp increase from 53 cases in 2023. Authorities attributed the rise to non-adherence to fire safety measures, despite ongoing awareness campaigns.
Tema Region
The Tema Regional Command recorded 616 fire outbreaks in 2024, marking a 15% increase compared to the previous year. This surge was linked to the expansion of slum areas and challenges in firefighting response due to resource limitations.
Many are arguing that Ghana does not have fire hydrants in necessary locations for fire trucks to use them in order to be able to put out fires when trucks arrive at the scene. However apparently, there are fire hydrants in Kumasi but they seem to be berried, or hidden out of plain sight. In some cases, people have gone as far as creating land marks around the fire hydrant or people have built their homes on top of the hydrants or too close near the hydrants making them in accessible.
Dr Frank Amoakohen says: In a proactive attempt to prepare for any eventualities, I directed for a review of the state of fire hydrants in the region on behalf of the President John Dramani Mahama. The revelations coming out-are wild.
Let this serve as public notice: anyone who has built on, blocked, or erected structures over fire hydrants should take immediate steps to remove them. The team will be moving in soon, and enforcement will be swift.
Big thanks to the officers of the Fire Service Department for their commitment to getting this done
Conclusion
These incidents underscore the critical need for enhanced market planning, adherence to fire safety protocols, and improved firefighting infrastructure across Ghana. Addressing these issues will be essential in mitigating future fire outbreaks and ensuring the safety of businesses and communities.
