Seven months after a devastating blaze destroyed more than 7,000 shops, displaced over 30,000 traders, and claimed one life, the Kantamanto Market has officially reopened, marking a fresh start for one of Accra’s busiest commercial hubs.
At the reopening ceremony, traders not only returned to their stalls but also launched the Kantamanto Obroniwawu Businesses’ Association, a body aimed at strengthening unity, order, and resilience in the market.
The reopening comes with new commitments designed to prevent the chaos and poor sanitation that have long plagued Kantamanto. The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has introduced a GH₵2 daily toll system to replace the annual GH₵15 license fee. Traders have pledged compliance, seeing the move as part of a broader effort to maintain cleanliness and ensure the market remains safe and functional.
“We have all agreed to the new system. It is about restoring order, avoiding the mistakes of the past, and building a better market for ourselves and our customers,” leaders of the Kantamanto Traders Association said.
Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey assured traders that the revenues generated would be used exclusively for sanitation, noting that 70% of the Assembly’s internally generated funds already go into waste management.
Beyond sanitation, the Mayor emphasized the enforcement of the Red Line Policy, which bars street trading along demarcated areas to reduce congestion and improve safety. He called on traders to cooperate, stressing that the objective was not to punish but to restore order to Accra’s commercial spaces.
For many traders, the reopening and the new rules symbolize resilience after tragedy. “This is not just about paying GH₵2 or staying behind a red line,” one market woman said. “It’s about proving that we can rise again after losing everything.”
With thousands of livelihoods tied to Kantamanto, the market’s revival is being seen as a turning point—an opportunity to rebuild stronger, cleaner, and more sustainable.
