Fire Commander Warns Of Continued Market Fires Without Urgent Action

The Greater Accra Regional Fire Commander, ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu, has issued a stark warning that market fires in Ghana will persist unless urgent preventive measures are taken to address hazardous activities in trading areas.

Ghana’s Fire Commander urges swift measures to prevent recurring
market fires across the country

Speaking at the JoyNews National Dialogue on Fire Cycles in Ghana on April 3, 2025, ACFO II Nisawu emphasized that one of the biggest fire hazards is the practice of traders living, cooking, and storing flammable materials in markets.

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According to the fire commander, Ghanaian markets have evolved beyond trading spaces into makeshift residential areas, with many vendors using them as sleeping quarters. This increases the likelihood of fire outbreaks, as traders frequently light mosquito coils, candles, and stoves, often falling asleep while these items are still burning.

"Until we dedicate markets and say this is a strictly designated trading area—no cooking, no sleeping, no bathing—we will continue to have these fire outbreaks," ACFO II Nisawu cautioned.

Another major contributor to market fires is the improper storage of highly combustible substances. The fire commander pointed to recent fire outbreaks, including one in Adum in the Ashanti Region, where explosions were observed during the blaze. This, he said, indicates that vendors had stored hazardous materials that intensified the fire.

Fire investigations have frequently revealed that the very products being sold in markets—such as textiles, plastics, and chemicals—help fuel the flames, making containment difficult.

Proposed Solutions to Reduce Market Fires

To mitigate these dangers, ACFO II Nisawu outlined key recommendations to enhance fire safety in markets:

1. Strictly Designated Markets – Authorities must ensure that markets serve only as trading areas, with no residential or cooking activities permitted.

2. Proper Market Segmentation – Traders selling similar products should be grouped together to reduce fire risks associated with mixed materials.

   • Example: A specific section for cloth sellers, another for food vendors, and a separate area for electrical goods and chemicals.

3. Stronger Fire Safety Regulations – Vendors must be required to adhere to fire safety rules, with regular inspections conducted by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).

4. Public Awareness and Training – Traders must be educated on fire prevention strategies, including safe handling of flammable materials.

5. Installation of Firefighting Equipment – Every market should have fire extinguishers, hydrants, and designated emergency exits to help contain fires before they spread.

A Call for Immediate Action

The fire commander urged market authorities, local governments, and the GNFS to take immediate steps to implement these measures, warning that failure to do so would result in continuous devastating fires, leading to loss of property and livelihoods.

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With Ghana experiencing recurring market fires, ACFO II Nisawu’s recommendations provide a critical roadmap to ensuring safer trading environments for both vendors and consumers.