A welding operation at the Kumasi Kejetia Market has resulted in a fire outbreak, destroying a trader’s shop and its contents worth thousands of Ghana cedis.
The incident, which occurred during a debt recovery exercise, has raised serious concerns about safety protocols and authorization procedures within the market.
The welder, Nana Williams Kwame Fordjour, was reportedly engaged by the market’s management to secure shops belonging to traders who had defaulted on service fees. However, while welding a shop that owed GHS 1,200, sparks ignited a fire, leading to the shop’s destruction. Fortunately, firefighters on patrol quickly contained the blaze, preventing further damage.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding authorization for the welding work. While market management allegedly initiated the exercise, Desmond Opoku, a night security supervisor, stated that his team was unaware of formal approval. Similarly, Saddick Ahmed, the market’s Health, Safety, and Environment Manager, denied issuing any permit for the activity, raising questions about oversight and compliance with fire safety regulations.
Following the incident, the Ghana Police Service arrested the welder as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the fire. Fire Officer ADOI Ebenezer Opoku confirmed the launch of a probe to determine liability and assess whether the welder was working under a valid permit.
Meanwhile, the affected trader has called on the government and market authorities for support in rebuilding the business. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for stricter safety measures and clearer communication between market management, enforcement teams, and traders to prevent future occurrences.
