Bawumia donates GH₵200k, 1,000 bags of cement to fire victims

Former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has visited the site of the devastating fire at the Adum Blue Light Market in Kumasi to express his sympathies and provide much-needed support to the affected traders.
The fire, which occurred on Friday, March 21, 2025, ravaged the market, destroying merchandise worth millions of Ghana cedis and leaving hundreds of traders jobless.
Dr. Bawumia was accompanied by several Members of Parliament, former government appointees, and leading figures from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He pledged his solidarity with the victims, offering words of encouragement and assuring them that efforts were being made to address their plight.

Financial and material support to traders
During his visit, Dr. Bawumia announced a donation of GH₵200,000 and 1,000 bags of cement to support the affected traders as they work to rebuild their businesses.
“This support is just a small way to help you get back on your feet. I will continue to stand with you in any way I can,” he assured them.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of adversity, urging the traders to remain patient as investigations into the fire continue.

Call for investigations and preventive measures
While addressing the traders and members of the media, Dr. Bawumia urged authorities to expedite investigations to determine the actual cause of the disaster.
He stressed the need for proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We must ensure that such devastating incidents do not happen again. Authorities should intensify their investigations and provide recommendations on how to improve safety standards at the market,” he stated.
Some traders have attributed the fire outbreak to persistent power fluctuations in the area prior to the incident but the Electricity Company of Ghana rejected it.
The Ashanti Regional Security Council has since ordered a full-scale investigation into the disaster to establish the cause and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.

Commending the emergency response teams
Dr. Bawumia also took the opportunity to commend the Ghana National Fire Service and other emergency response teams for their swift intervention.
“The fire service did a yeoman’s job in containing the inferno. Their prompt response helped to prevent further loss of property and potential casualties,” he noted.
Despite their best efforts, the fire still left significant damage, plunging many traders into severe financial hardship.
National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) personnel, in collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service and other security agencies, are still working to clear the debris in preparation for rebuilding efforts.

Traders express gratitude amid uncertainty
Many traders expressed profound gratitude for Dr. Bawumia’s gesture, stating that both the financial assistance and cement would be instrumental in helping them restart their businesses.
“We have lost everything, but this donation gives us hope,” one shop owner remarked.
However, while government officials are making plans to rebuild the market, some affected traders have raised concerns about the reconstruction process.
The government is considering plans to modernize the market, but traders fear that if the project is handed over to private developers, they may struggle to afford rent in the new facility.
“We want the government to allow us to reconstruct the market ourselves,” a spokesperson for the traders stated. “If the government takes over, the process might take years, and many of us may not be able to afford the rent once the market is completed.”

Looking ahead: Market reconstruction plans
The government faces a tough decision on how to proceed with the reconstruction of the market.
While it aims to develop a modern facility that meets safety standards, it must also consider the economic impact on traders who need to restart their businesses as soon as possible.
For now, the affected traders remain hopeful that the government will adopt an approach that balances modernization with affordability, allowing them to regain their livelihoods without excessive delays.

As investigations continue and relief efforts progress, the focus remains on restoring normalcy to the lives of the traders who have lost their sources of income.
Dr. Bawumia’s visit and donation have provided a glimmer of hope, but long-term solutions will be required to ensure the market is rebuilt in a manner that benefits all stakeholders.