Kejetia, on March 21 this year, was torn through by one of the most destructive fires in the history of Ghana.
Goods worth millions of cedis were destroyed, and livelihoods that depended on the market for their livelihoods lost.
Authorities thronged the site while the fire service tried to extinguish the fire. Dr Bawumia donated ₵100,000 as relief among other authorities. Despite the numerous promises of renovation and facelift from authorities, traders at the Kejetia Blue Light Market are still struggling to recover.
Reconstruction works have yet to begin, and currently, many traders operate in the burnt-out section, leaving many at the mercy of the weather, rain and the sun.
To mitigate the impact of the sun and the rain, traders have resorted to mounting umbrellas over tables to return to business and rebuild their livelihoods with hopes of aid from authorities to rebuild the burnt to ground market structures.
According to some traders, the funds initially provided were used for drainage and minor works, leaving them with little relief.
“The leaders say the funds have run out after being used for drainage and minor works, leaving traders still operating under umbrellas in an inconducive space. Conditions worsen whenever it rains. We are appealing for at least the floor to be cast if roofing cannot be provided immediately,” Amaniampong Atakorah lamented.
Business has also been slow. “Right now, we don’t get customers like we were receiving before the market got burnt,” Joseph Darko said.
Amid the struggles, one of the store blocks that bore the brunt of the fire has received a facelift from its owner, with some traders gradually moving back in. Among them is Collins Boateng, who has fully resumed operations. Despite earlier safety concerns, he now believes the structure is strong enough.
“The fire damaged our section of the building more severely because of nearby wooden structures. Initially, I was reluctant to support renovations, fearing the structure was unsafe. But after inspecting the top floor, I realised it is still very solid,” he said.
Beyond the drains, which remain the only visible works on the site, reconstruction efforts have stalled. Chairman of the Market Association, Joseph Bobie Ansah, acknowledged the intervention but stressed that more funding is urgently needed to complete the entire project.
“The donations we received have been exhausted, and we are appealing to well-meaning individuals for support. The tragedy has left us financially strained, and relying solely on government intervention will only delay reconstruction,” Mr. Ansah explained.
Meanwhile, before the major fire in March, another fire struck some parts of the market on January 24.
However, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) was able to avert what could have been a major disaster at Kejetia Market following the fire outbreak.
Their swift response saved 23 out of 25 shops in the immediate vicinity of the blaze.
The fire, which was reported at 5:27 a.m., affected two stores—S-1785 and S-1786—on the second floor of the bustling commercial hub. Within six minutes of receiving the emergency call, firefighters arrived at the scene and launched a tactical operation to contain the flames.
Using two 5kg CO₂ fire extinguishers, twenty-six 6kg dry chemical powder extinguishers, and water from a hose reel, the GNFS team worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control. Their coordinated efforts successfully prevented the fire from spreading to other sections of the market, known for its heavy commercial activity.
“We managed to salvage 23 out of the 25 shops in the immediate area. This was possible thanks to the effective strategies deployed by our team and the quick response,” a GNFS representative stated.
No injuries or fatalities were recorded, underscoring the effectiveness of the GNFS’s intervention. While two stores sustained damage, the situation could have been far worse without the timely actions of the Fire Service.
The GNFS has intensified patrols in the area to prevent future incidents, while investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire. Shop owners and market stakeholders have commended the GNFS for their professionalism and dedication.