Author: Abigail Ampofo

Head of the Business and Economic Bureau at the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Charles Kusi Appiah, is calling for a well-structured plan to improve markets nationwide.

Speaking on the AM Show on JoyNews on Monday, March 24, he highlighted the importance of policies that can help prevent disasters like the recent fire at Adum market.

Mr. Appiah explained that a properly organized market system should include regular checks on electrical wiring, building safety, and accessibility.

He stressed that these measures would help detect and fix potential dangers before they lead to major incidents.

“I think, going forward, we should have a good plan for our marketplaces and structures. It should be a policy that, every year or so, there will be an integrity assessment of the wiring system, building structures, and market accessibility. If there are any anomalies, proactive corrections should be made to avoid some of these unfortunate incidents,” he stated.

Mr. Appiah also encouraged traders to adopt insurance policies to protect themselves from unexpected disasters. He urged insurance companies to take a more active role in educating market vendors about the benefits of insurance and to reassure them that their claims will be paid when needed.

“The insurance companies should be interested in taking up such responsibilities. It all boils down to education. They need to give market traders the confidence that if they take an insurance policy and are affected by fire or any natural disaster, they will be supported,” he added.

Mr. Appiah further criticized city authorities for their failure to regulate markets before disasters occur. He argued that officials should focus on providing solutions rather than blaming traders after an incident.

“These traders did not occupy these spaces overnight; they have been there for years. We have city authorities, what have they done about it? When people are affected and are in distress, it is not the time to tell them they were in unauthorized spaces. It is the time to give them hope and a future,” he said.

He urged authorities to create a solid plan to help businesses recover after disasters, ensuring that affected traders have alternative places to continue their work. He also stressed that city planners must take charge by setting up proper trading areas and enforcing rules to prevent such incidents before they happen.

“When you fail in your responsibility as a city planner and our market is destroyed by an inferno, you lose the moral right to tell us the affected area was unauthorized and therefore no help will be provided. That is unacceptable. Bring solutions to the people first, and then take up your responsibility to demarcate and regulate markets properly,” he said.